Capecitabine, Irinotecan Hydrochloride, Cetuximab, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients Undergoing Surgery for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (EXCITE)

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum

• MRI-defined locally advanced disease, as defined by 1 of the following:

  • Mesorectal fascia involvement
  • Mesorectal fascia threatened (tumor ≤ 1 mm from mesorectal fascia)
  • Any T3 tumor < 5 cm from anal verge
• No evidence of metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG or WHO performance status 0-1
• ANC ≥ 1.5 x 10^9/L
• Platelet count ≥ 100 x 10^9/L
• Serum bilirubin < 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Serum transaminase(s) < 3 times ULN
• Serum alkaline phosphatase < 5 times ULN
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate > 50 mL/min
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Fit to receive all study treatments
• Able to comply with oral medication
• No comorbidity or coagulation problem that would deem the patient unsuitable for surgery
• No pre-existing condition that would preclude radiotherapy (e.g., fistulas, severe ulcerative colitis [particularly patients currently taking sulfasalazine], Crohn's disease, prior adhesions)
• No current or impending rectal obstruction (unless a defunctioning stoma is present) or metallic colonic rectal stent in situ
• No significant small bowel delineated within the radiotherapy fields
• No pelvic sepsis
• No gastrointestinal disorder that would interfere with oral therapy or oral bioavailability
• No uncontrolled cardiac, respiratory, or other disease that would preclude study therapy or informed consent
• No serious medical or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study therapy or informed consent
• No known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• No prior chemotherapy
• No prior radiotherapy to the pelvis
• No concurrent participation in other studies, except genetic studies (e.g., NSCCG-National Study of Colorectal Cancer Genetics)
• No concurrent St. John wort
• No other concurrent cytotoxic treatment or radiotherapy