InformationClinical trials have complex eligibility criteria.
Always talk to your clinician about you’re interest in participating in a trial.
Learn why

Optimise reading forHealth ProfessionalsPatients

Closed (no longer recruiting)Last updated: 7 February 2024

Ave-Rec study: This phase II trial is evaluating the addition of an immunotherapy drug following long-course chemo-radiotherapy in patients with a locally advanced rectal cancer that is able to be surgically removedPhase II Trial PD-L1/PD-1 Blockade Avelumab (MSB0010718C) With Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced ResectableT3b-4/N1-2 Rectal Cancer

Clinical summary

Summary

This trial is investigating the inclusion of avelumab post long-course chemo-radiotherapy in patients with resectable locally advanced rectal cancer. It is hypothesised that this may enhance the pathological and imaging response rates whilst potentially reducing the relapse rates. Participants will receive standard long course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT) treatment with radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil (5 FU)/Capecitabine for 6 weeks, this then followed by 4 cycles of Avelumab and then surgical resection. The trial will measure disease response just prior to surgery and participants will be followed up for a minimum of 18 months (from study entry) and up to 42 months.

Conditions

This trial is treating patients with Rectal Cancer.

Cancer

Bowel Cancers Lower gastrointestinal tract

Age

People18+

Phase

II

Trial Acronym

Ave-Rec study

More information

Trial Identifiers

Use the hyperlinks, where available to access additional clinical trial information.

Trial sponsor

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Scientific Title

Phase II Trial PD-L1/PD-1 Blockade Avelumab (MSB0010718C) With Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced ResectableT3b-4/N1-2 Rectal Cancer

Eligibility

Inclusion

  1. Male or female aged ≥ 18 years at screening
  2. Patients with histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma clinical stage T3bN1-N2M0, T3c/dN0-N2M0, T4N0-N2M0 (see Appendix 1),1 as defined by pelvic MRI
  3. Planned to receive neoadjuvant long course chemoradiotherapy (50.4 Gy, with infusional 5FU or capecitabine) followed by curative total mesorectal excision plus abdomino-perineal resection or anterior resection
  4. Lower border of tumour must be within 12 cm from anal verge
  5. Measurable disease by RECIST1.12
  6. ECOG Performance Status 0-1
  7. Patients must be willing to provide fresh (where possible) and archival tumour tissue samples for translational studies at specified time points
  8. Adequate organ function

    1. Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5 x 109/L
    2. Platelet count ≥100 x 109/L
    3. Haemoglobin ≥ 90 g/L (may have been transfused)
    4. Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x upper normal limit OR measured creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/minute
    5. Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper normal limit
    6. AST/ALT ≤ 2.5 x upper normal limit
  9. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test at screening
  10. Both male and female patients should be willing to use highly effective contraception (that is, methods with a failure rate of less than 1% per year) if the risk of conception exists
  11. Has provided written informed consent for the trial
  12. Agrees to comply with trial therapy or trial-related investigations and evaluations

Exclusion

  1. Patients with disease outside the pelvis
  2. Prior pelvic radiotherapy
  3. Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days of registration (participation in observational studies are permitted)
  4. Concurrent anti-cancer treatment
  5. Concurrent treatment with a non-permitted drug (Section 8.3.2)
  6. Major surgery for any reason within 4 weeks of registration (except defunctioning stoma creation with the patient having fully recovered from this procedure)
  7. Current use of immunosuppressive medication. Except for the following: (a) intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injection (e.g., intra-articular injection); (b). Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses ≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent; (c). Steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan premedication); (d) Short-term administration of systemic steroids (that is, for allergic reactions or the management of irAEs) is allowed while on study.

    Note: Patients receiving bisphosphonate or denosumab are eligible

  8. Active autoimmune disease that might deteriorate when receiving an immunostimulatory agent. Patients with diabetes type I, vitiligo, psoriasis, or hypo- or hyperthyroid diseases not requiring immunosuppressive treatment are eligible
  9. Active or history of immunodeficiencies
  10. Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD1, anti-PDL1, anti-PDL2 or anti-CTLA-4 agents
  11. Has clinically significant (that is, active) cardiovascular disease: cerebral vascular accident / stroke (< 6 months prior to registration), myocardial infarction (< 6 months prior to registration), unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Classification Class ≥ II), or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication.
  12. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
  13. Other severe acute or chronic medical conditions including immune colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis or psychiatric conditions including recent (within the past year) or active suicidal ideation or behaviour; or laboratory abnormalities that may increase the risk associated with study participation or study treatment administration or may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study
  14. Prior malignancies within 3 years of registration (with the exception of non- melanomatous skin cancer)
  15. Prior organ transplantation, including allogeneic stem-cell transplantation
  16. A known history of testing positive for HIV or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
  17. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at screening (positive HBV surface antigen or HCV RNA if anti-HCV antibody screening test is positive)
  18. Known prior severe hypersensitivity to investigational product or any component in its formulations, including known severe hypersensitivity reactions to monoclonal antibodies (CTCAE v4.03 grade ≥ 3)
  19. Is pregnant or lactating
  20. Vaccination within 4 weeks of registration and while on trials is prohibited except for administration of inactivated vaccines
  21. Known deficiency of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase

Inclusion

  • You are able to swallow medication by mouth.
  • Your cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.

Exclusion

  • You have been diagnosed with a prior or secondary type of cancer.
  • You have certain types of non-cancer medical conditions.
  • You have had certain treatments, surgical procedures or drugs.
  • You have previously been treated (or are currently being treated) on a clinical trial.
Message

Clinical trials have complex eligibility criteria.

Ask your doctor if this trial could be right for you.

Participating hospitals

+ Show non-recruiting hospitals

Closed hospitals

InformationTell us if you find this trial availability is not accurate.Report inaccuracy

Get Support

Example

Cancer Connect

Speak with someone who has cancer clinical trial experience.

Learn more

Example

Cancer Council’s cancer nurses

If you need cancer information and practical support for yourself, a carer, family or friend, contact Cancer Council’s experienced cancer nurses on 131120.

Learn more

Example

Information for family, friends and carers

When you are considering a cancer clinical trial, it is a good idea to discuss it with your family, friends or carers.

Learn more

Victorian Cancer Registry Victorian Government

The Victorian Cancer Trials Link is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency.

RAP

Cancer Council Victoria would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal people.