External-Beam Radiation Therapy, Capecitabine, and Sorafenib in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in
chemotherapy, such as capecitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells,
either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Sorafenib may stop the growth
of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood
flow to the tumor. Giving radiation therapy together with capecitabine and sorafenib before
surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be
removed.
PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of capecitabine
when given together with sorafenib and external-beam radiation therapy and to see how well it
works in treating patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.