Phase 3 Trial Comparing Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiotherapy Versus Standard Chemoradiotherapy in Adults with Locally Advanced Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

What this Trial Is About

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus is a rare but increasingly common cancer, often linked to human papillomavirus HPV. For early-stage tumors, combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with 5FU and mitomycin-C provide good outcomes, but advanced tumors have a poor prognosis with a high relapse rate. Researchers are studying a new approach combining induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5FU mDCF followed by standard chemoradiotherapy to improve treatment results for locally advanced anal cancer T3-4 or N1. This is a randomized phase 3 trial comparing this new strategy to the current standard treatment. The study includes two groups one receives the usual chemoradiotherapy, which involves 33 radiotherapy sessions over 6.5 weeks combined with mitomycin-C and capecitabine chemotherapy taken on radiotherapy days. The other group starts with 4 cycles of mDCF chemotherapy given every two weeks before receiving the same chemoradiotherapy as the control group. Radiotherapy uses intensity-modulated external irradiation with a targeted boost to the tumor and involved lymph nodes. Participants will be followed after treatment with check-ups at 8 weeks, then every 4 months for two years, and every 6 months in the third year. Follow-up includes clinical exams and imaging scans CT and MRI. The main measure of success is disease-related event-free survival two years after treatment. Other outcomes include overall survival, colostomy-free survival, treatment side effects, tumor response, and quality of life. The total study duration for each participant may extend over several years including this follow-up period.

Phase III Study Evaluating Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiotherapy Compared to Standard Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced SCCA