A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Phase II Study of Short-Course Radiotherapy Followed by Sequential PD-1 Inhibitor and FOLFOX Chemotherapy Versus Long-Course Chemoradiotherapy for High-Risk Locally Advanced pMMR/MSS Lower Rectal Adenocarcinoma (STAR Trial)

Overview

This study adopts a prospective randomized controlled design to evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course radiotherapy followed by sequential PD-1 inhibitor and FOLFOX chemotherapy versus conventional regimens in high-risk locally advanced pMMR/MSS lower rectal adenocarcinoma, aiming to provide high-level evidence supporting a novel treatment paradigm.

Interventions

• Radiation Short-course Radiotherapy, SCRT
  The neoadjuvant treatment phase includes either SCRT followed by 6 cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy combined with a PD-1 inhibitor, or LCRT concurrent with 6 cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy. Surgery is performed 2-4 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. If reassessment indicates cCR and N0, options include Total Mesorectal Excision (TME), local excision (LE), or watch and wait (W\&W); otherwise, TME is performed. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy follows the CAPOX regimen.
• Drug Toripalimab
  The neoadjuvant treatment phase includes either SCRT followed by 6 cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy combined with a PD-1 inhibitor, or LCRT concurrent with 6 cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy. Surgery is performed 2-4 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. If reassessment indicates cCR and N0, options include Total Mesorectal Excision (TME), local excision (LE), or watch and wait (W\&W); otherwise, TME is performed. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy follows the CAPOX regimen.

Primary outcome measures

• CCR [Time frame: 3 years]

Secondary outcome measures (7)

• 3-year RFS [Time frame: 3 years]
• 3-year DFS [Time frame: 3 years]
• 3-year OS [Time frame: 3 years]
• 3-year DMFS [Time frame: 3 years]
• R0 Resection Rate [Time frame: 3 years]
• MPR Rate [Time frame: 3 years]
• Treatment-Related Adverse Events / Treatment Toxicity [Time frame: 3 years]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Before implementing any procedures related to the study protocol rather than routine clinical care, a signed and dated informed consent form must be obtained from the subject voluntarily, in accordance with regulatory requirements and institutional guidelines.
• Age 18-75 years.
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed pMMR/MSS rectal adenocarcinoma.
• The lower edge of the rectal tumor is located below the peritoneal reflection.
• Locally advanced disease with high-risk factors, meeting at least one of the following: cT4 / cN2 / EMVI+ / MRF+ / positive lateral lymph node.
• No clear evidence of distant metastasis prior to treatment.
• No prior anti-tumor therapy (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy).
• ECOG performance status 0-1 (Appendix 1).
• Peripheral blood counts and liver and renal function within the following ranges (tested within 15 days before treatment initiation):

• White blood cell count (WBC) ≥ 3.0 × 10⁹/L or absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L;

• Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥ 80 g/L; ③ Platelet count (PLT) ≥ 100 × 10⁹/L; ④ Hepatic transaminases (AST/ALT) < 3.0 × upper limit of normal (ULN); ⑤ Total bilirubin (TBIL) < 1.5 × ULN; ⑥ Creatinine (CREAT) < 1.5 × ULN.
• No history of other concurrent malignancies; not pregnant or lactating; effective contraceptive methods should be used during the study period and for 6 months after the last dose.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with a history of severe drug allergy (including allergy to platinum agents, 5-FU, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists).
• Patients who have participated in or are currently participating in another clinical trial within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
• History of prior treatment with anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CTLA-4, or any other therapy specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways.
• Severe electrolyte abnormalities.
• Presence of gastrointestinal diseases such as active gastric or duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, or unresected tumor with active bleeding; or other conditions that may cause gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation; or unhealed gastrointestinal perforation after surgical treatment.
• History of arterial thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis within 6 months; evidence of bleeding tendency or hemorrhagic history within 2 months; currently receiving high-dose anticoagulation therapy.
• Pregnant or lactating women, or women of childbearing potential with a positive pregnancy test prior to the first dose; or female participants and their partners who are unwilling to practice strict contraception during the study period.
• Presence of other concurrent or prior active malignancies (except for malignancies that have been curatively treated with no recurrence for more than 3 years, or carcinoma in situ that can be cured by adequate treatment).
• Severe electrocardiogram abnormalities, or active coronary artery disease, severe/unstable angina, newly diagnosed angina or myocardial infarction within 12 months prior to study entry, or congestive heart failure of NYHA Class II or higher.
• Patients with active infection (infection causing fever > 38°C).
• Patients with poorly controlled hypercalcemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus.
• Patients with severe pulmonary disease (interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, severe emphysema, etc.).
• Patients with mental disorders affecting clinical treatment or a history of central nervous system disease.
• Patients with severe complications (intestinal obstruction, renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency, cerebrovascular disorders, etc.).
• Presence of any unresolved toxicity of CTCAE Grade 2 or higher resulting from prior therapy (except for anemia, alopecia, and skin pigmentation).
• Any medical condition that is unstable or may affect patient safety and compliance with the study.
• Patients deemed by the investigator to be unsuitable for participation in this clinical trial.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Single blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

China · 1 center

• The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University — Guangzhou

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07669220 · 2026ZSLYEC-285

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗