Immune priming effect of radiotherapy in rectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the potential immune priming effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on the tumour microenvironment in rectal cancer
IRAS ID
239609
Contact name
Campbell S Roxburgh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Colorectal cancer is a common tumour type and is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Scotland. Additional treatments are required to improve survival rates. Immunotherapies are anti-cancer treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer cells. Immunotherapies are most effective in tumour types where immune cells are already present in and around the tumour such as melanoma and lung cancer. In colorectal cancer, immune cells are not commonly present within tumours, consequently immunotherapies are not currently used. If it were possible to increase immune responses within colorectal tumours then immunotherapies might become a new treatment option enhancing the anti-tumour immune response. Importantly, it is known that radiotherapy may increase tumour immune responses during and after treatment. Little is known currently as to when the induced immune response peaks and for how long this is present. We propose a study examining tumour immune responses over time measured on biopsies in patients receiving radiotherapy for rectal cancer. The information generated will be used to plan trials of immunotherapies in combination with radiotherapy in rectal cancer, with the aim of improving survival from the disease.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
18/WS/0003
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion