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THeragnostic Utilities for Neoplastic DisEases of the Rectum by MRI Guided Radiotherapy (THUNDER2)

8 juli 2026 uppdaterad av: CHILOIRO GIUDITTA, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) is the standard treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), and patients achieving complete response (CR) generally have improved local control, metastasis-free survival, and overall survival.

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the impact of radiotherapy dose escalation in rectal cancer by identifying poor responders during treatment using the Early Tumor Regression Index (ERI). Patients are treated using magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT). ERI is calculated at fraction 10. Patients with an ERI value below 13.1 continue the standard treatment schedule, whereas patients with an ERI value above 13.1 undergo adaptive replanning with dose escalation up to 60.1 Gy to the residual tumor volume.

Concomitant chemotherapy consists of fluoropyrimidine-based treatment, with oxaliplatin permitted in patients at high risk of recurrence. In selected high-risk patients, consolidation chemotherapy with three cycles of FOLFOX may be administered during the interval before surgery.

Following protocol amendments, the study was expanded to include a total planned enrollment of 179 patients. Additional blood samples for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis and stool samples for gut microbiome profiling are collected at predefined time points. These longitudinal multi-omics data are integrated with magnetic resonance imaging-based delta-radiomics features to develop composite biomarker models for prediction of treatment response.

The primary outcome measures are complete response, defined as ypT0N0 after Total Mesorectal Excision (TME), ypT0 ycN0 after Local Excision (LE), or ycT0N0 in patients managed with Watch and Wait, and the prospective validation of the magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy delta-radiomics predictive model.

Studieöversikt

Detaljerad beskrivning

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) is the standard treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Patients who achieve a complete response (CR) after treatment generally experience improved local control, metastasis-free survival, and overall survival. Because response to radiotherapy is dose-dependent in rectal cancer, dose escalation may increase complete response rates. The ability to identify patients who are unlikely to achieve a complete response before surgery or during treatment is therefore of major clinical importance. An Early Tumor Regression Index (ERI) has been developed to predict pathological complete response after nCRT. Patients with ERI values below 13.1 have been shown to demonstrate a stronger response during treatment and a lower probability of developing distant relapse.

The primary aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the impact of adaptive radiotherapy dose escalation in rectal cancer by identifying poor responders during treatment using ERI and increasing the prescribed radiation dose in these patients. Using this adaptive boosting strategy, an increase of approximately 10% in the complete response rate is expected. All enrolled patients receive chemoradiotherapy delivered using a 0.35 Tesla magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) system.

The radiotherapy schedule consists of 55 Gy in 25 fractions to the gross tumor volume and corresponding mesorectum, together with 45 Gy in 25 fractions to the whole pelvis. Concomitant chemotherapy consists of continuous oral capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil. Oxaliplatin may be added in patients considered at high risk of recurrence. Daily magnetic resonance imaging is performed throughout treatment. ERI is calculated at fraction 10. Patients with an ERI value below 13.1 continue the standard treatment schedule, whereas patients with an ERI value above 13.1 undergo adaptive treatment replanning with dose escalation up to 60.1 Gy to the residual tumor volume. For selected high-risk patients, consolidation chemotherapy with three cycles of the FOLFOX regimen may be administered during the interval before surgery. Patients achieving a complete clinical response may be managed using a Watch-and-Wait strategy according to multidisciplinary team evaluation.

Following protocol amendments, the study has been expanded to include additional patients for longitudinal multi-omics analyses. Stool samples are collected for gut microbiome characterization, including metagenomic, metabolomic, and metatranscriptomic analyses. Blood samples are collected for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analyses and other blood-based biomarkers. These data are integrated with magnetic resonance imaging-derived delta-radiomics features to develop composite biomarker models aimed at improving prediction of treatment response and supporting personalized treatment strategies in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Studietyp

Interventionell

Inskrivning (Beräknad)

179

Fas

  • Inte tillämpbar

Kontakter och platser

Det här avsnittet innehåller kontaktuppgifter för dem som genomför studien och information om var denna studie genomförs.

Studiekontakt

Studieorter

Deltagandekriterier

Forskare letar efter personer som passar en viss beskrivning, så kallade behörighetskriterier. Några exempel på dessa kriterier är en persons allmänna hälsotillstånd eller tidigare behandlingar.

Urvalskriterier

Åldrar som är berättigade till studier

18 år och äldre (Vuxen, Äldre vuxen)

Tar emot friska volontärer

Nej

Beskrivning

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Histological proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum;
  • cT2-4, or cN0-2 (also extramesorectal nodes), or mesorectal fascia involvement for tumor (MRF+) or extramural venous invasion (EMVI+);
  • cM0;
  • No prior radiotherapy in pelvic region;
  • Tumour located between 0 and 15 cm above the anal verge;
  • Not mesorectal fascia involvement for tumor;
  • No extramesorectal nodes involvement;
  • No extramural venous invasion (EMVI);
  • No rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma histology;
  • No contra-indications for MRI;
  • ECOG 0-1;
  • Age over 18 years;
  • Adequate hematological function: granulocyte count > 1500/microl, Hemoglobin level > 10 g/dl, Platelet count > 100000/microl, ALT/AST: 7-45 UI/L;
  • No other malignancies in the previous history (except skin and initial cervical cancer);
  • Absence of important comorbidities: severe cardiac or coagulative disease, moderate or severe restrictive/obstructive lung deficit, severe cognitive impairment, moderate and severe renal and hepatic impairment;
  • Absence of any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule; those conditions should be discussed with the patient before registration in the trial;
  • Absence of pregnancy or lactating female patients;
  • Written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Distant metastases (cM1);
  • Prior radiotherapy in the pelvic region;
  • Tumour located lower than 0 cm or higher than 15 cm above the anal verge;
  • Rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma histology;
  • Contra-indications for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI);
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score >= 2;
  • Age under 18 years;
  • Inadequate hematological function (Granulocyte count <= 1500/microl, Hemoglobin level <= 10 g/dl, Platelet count <= 100000/microl, ALT/AST outside 7-45 UI/L);
  • History of other malignancies (except skin cancer and initial cervical cancer);
  • Presence of severe comorbidities (severe cardiac or coagulative disease, moderate or severe restrictive/obstructive lung deficit, severe cognitive impairment, moderate/severe renal or hepatic impairment);
  • Any psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule;
  • Pregnant or lactating female patients.

Studieplan

Det här avsnittet ger detaljer om studieplanen, inklusive hur studien är utformad och vad studien mäter.

Hur är studien utformad?

Designdetaljer

  • Primärt syfte: Behandling
  • Tilldelning: Icke-randomiserad
  • Interventionsmodell: Enskild gruppuppgift
  • Maskning: Ingen (Open Label)

Vapen och interventioner

Deltagargrupp / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Experimentell: LARC patients treated by MRgRT with Early Regression Index (ERI) at 10th fraction >13.1
All patients will be treated on MRgRT, at the second week , patients with an ERI > 13.1 will underwent RT dose intensification on GTV + 3 mm to 60.1 Gy with a Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB).
The initial radiotherapy treatment will consist in delivering 55 Gy in 25 fractions on GTV plus the corresponding mesorectum of 45Gy in 25 fractions on the whole pelvis. Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or oral capecitabine will be administered continuously. A 0.35 Tesla Magnetic resonance image will be acquired at simulation and every day during MRgRT. At fraction 10, ERI will be calculated. If ERI will be inferior than 13.1 the patient will continue the original treatment. If ERI will be higher than 13.1 the treatment plan will be reoptimized considering the residual tumor at fraction 10 as new therapy volume, where the dose will be intensified to reach 60.1 Gy.
Inget ingripande: LARC patients treated by MRgRT with Early Regression Index (ERI) at 10th fraction < 13.1
All patients will be treated on MRgRT, at the second week , patients with an ERI < 13.1 will underwent standard RT dose of 55Gy on tumor and corresponding mesorectum

Vad mäter studien?

Primära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
Complete response
Tidsram: 6 months
ypT0N0 in case of TME, ypT0ycN0 in case of LE, ycT0N0 in case of WW
6 months
Prospective validation of delta radiomics MR-guide Radiotherapy model
Tidsram: 6 months
correlation between response prediction and clinical or pathological response
6 months

Sekundära resultatmått

Resultatmått
Åtgärdsbeskrivning
Tidsram
3 years Local control
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
survival outcomes
3 years follow up
3 years Metastasis Free Survival
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
survival outcomes
3 years follow up
3 years Disease Free Survival
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
survival outcomes
3 years follow up
3 years Overall Survival
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
survival outcomes
3 years follow up
R0 resection rate
Tidsram: 6 months
percentage of surgical intervention with negative margins
6 months
Tumor Regression Grade 2
Tidsram: 6 months
surgical outcomes
6 months
Neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score
Tidsram: 6 months
surgical outcomes
6 months
Tumor Regression Grade 1
Tidsram: 6 months
surgical outcomes
6 months
Sphincter preservation rate
Tidsram: 6 months
percentage of surgical intervention without the positioning of permanent stomia
6 months
Organ preservation rate
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
percentage of patients underwent conservative approaches (WW or EL)
3 years follow up
Rectal function
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
impact of therapy on rectal functions by MSKCC questionnaire (from always to never with 5 items)
3 years follow up
Sexual function
Tidsram: 3 years follow up
impact of therapy on sexual function by IIEF and FSFI questionnaires (from 1 worst to 5 better)
3 years follow up

Samarbetspartners och utredare

Det är här du hittar personer och organisationer som är involverade i denna studie.

Samarbetspartners

Utredare

  • Huvudutredare: Giuditta Chiloiro, MD PhD, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Publikationer och användbara länkar

Den som ansvarar för att lägga in information om studien tillhandahåller frivilligt dessa publikationer. Dessa kan handla om allt som har med studien att göra.

Studieavstämningsdatum

Dessa datum spårar framstegen för inlämningar av studieposter och sammanfattande resultat till ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieposter och rapporterade resultat granskas av National Library of Medicine (NLM) för att säkerställa att de uppfyller specifika kvalitetskontrollstandarder innan de publiceras på den offentliga webbplatsen.

Studera stora datum

Studiestart (Faktisk)

17 mars 2021

Primärt slutförande (Beräknad)

1 januari 2027

Avslutad studie (Beräknad)

1 oktober 2031

Studieregistreringsdatum

Först inskickad

12 mars 2021

Först inskickad som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

22 mars 2021

Första postat (Faktisk)

25 mars 2021

Uppdateringar av studier

Senaste uppdatering publicerad (Faktisk)

10 juli 2026

Senaste inskickade uppdateringen som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna

8 juli 2026

Senast verifierad

1 juli 2026

Mer information

Termer relaterade till denna studie

Ytterligare relevanta MeSH-villkor

Andra studie-ID-nummer

  • 3460

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