Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trials Recruiting Now: ctDNA-Guided, Immunotherapy & IP Chemo Studies in Houston, Boston, Dallas & Columbus
Three actively recruiting U.S. colorectal cancer trials: ctDNA-guided AMB-05X after curative treatment (Houston, NCT06617858), dual checkpoint + SBRT for MSS/pMMR liver mets (Boston, NCT07128355), and intraperitoneal oxaliplatin/5FU for peritoneal metastases (Columbus & Dallas, NCT06269978). Learn eligibility, locations, and how to find CRC trials via Corterve.
Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trials Recruiting Now: ctDNA-Guided, Immunotherapy & IP Chemo Studies in Houston, Boston, Dallas & Columbus
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but the treatment landscape is shifting rapidly. For patients facing recurrence risk after curative surgery, liver-limited metastasis, or peritoneal spread, new trials are testing precision approaches — from ctDNA-guided adjuvant therapy to dual checkpoint inhibition with radiation and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
This post highlights three actively recruiting U.S. trials that represent distinct strategies: biomarker-directed treatment, immunotherapy-radiation combination, and locoregional drug delivery.
1. ctDNA-Guided Adjuvant Therapy: AMB-05X for Molecular Residual Disease (NCT06617858)
NCT ID: NCT06617858
Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Phase: 2
Status: RECRUITING
Location: Houston, Texas (MD Anderson Cancer Center)
Principal Investigator: Van Morris, MD
Estimated Enrollment: 15 patients
Study Overview
This open-label Phase 2 trial evaluates AMB-05X (an investigational anti-CSF1R antibody) in patients with stage I–IV colorectal cancer who have detectable circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after completing all standard curative-intent treatment — surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation — but show no radiographic evidence of disease.
Why ctDNA Matters
After curative-intent therapy, a positive ctDNA test (molecular residual disease, or MRD) identifies patients at very high risk of recurrence — often months before scans show anything. This trial asks: Can targeting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment with AMB-05X clear ctDNA and prevent recurrence?
Key Eligibility (Summary)
- Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma
- Completed all planned curative-intent therapy (R0 resection ± adjuvant therapy)
- No radiographic/measurable disease (RECIST 1.1) ≥28 days post-treatment
- Positive ctDNA assay (Signatera) ≥28 days post-treatment
- ECOG 0–1, adequate organ function, age ≥18
- Willingness to use effective contraception
Primary Endpoint
- Safety and adverse events (CTCAE v5.0) through ~1 year
Exploratory Endpoints
- ctDNA clearance rate at 6 months
- 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS)
- Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, biomarker correlations
Contact
Van Morris, MD | GIClinicalTrials@mdanderson.org | (713) 792-2828
Site: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
2. Dual Checkpoint Inhibition + SBRT for Liver-Limited MSS/pMMR CRC (NCT07128355)
NCT ID: NCT07128355
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital (with Agenus Inc.)
Phase: Early Phase 1 (Pilot)
Status: RECRUITING
Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Principal Investigator: Aparna R. Parikh, MD
Estimated Enrollment: 15 patients
Study Overview
This single-arm pilot study combines stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to liver metastases with botensilimab (AGEN1181, anti-FcγR-enhanced CTLA-4) and balstilimab (AGEN2034, anti-PD-1) in chemotherapy-refractory, microsatellite-stable (MSS) or mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) colorectal cancer with liver metastasis.
Rationale
MSS/pMMR CRC is historically immune-"cold" and unresponsive to single-agent PD-1 blockade. SBRT can convert "cold" tumors "hot" by releasing antigens and stimulating immune infiltration. Dual CTLA-4/PD-1 blockade (botensilimab + balstilimab) may amplify this effect.
Key Eligibility (Summary)
- Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma
- MSS or pMMR status (IHC or PCR)
- ≥1 measurable (≥1 cm) unirradiated liver lesion amenable to ablative SBRT + ≥1 measurable extrahepatic lesion
- Prior treatment with 5-FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (or confirmed intolerance)
- ECOG ≤1, adequate organ function, age ≥18
- No active autoimmune disease or systemic immunosuppression
Primary Endpoint
- Dose-limiting radiation-related toxicities (CTCAE v6.0) within 30 days of RT completion
Secondary Endpoints
- Response rate of irradiated and non-irradiated lesions (RECIST 1.1)
- Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR)
Contact
Aparna R. Parikh, MD | aparna.parikh@mgh.harvard.edu | (617) 724-4000
Site: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
3. Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Metastases (NCT06269978)
NCT ID: NCT06269978
Sponsor: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center / NCI
Phase: 1 (Dose Escalation + Expansion)
Status: RECRUITING
Locations:
- Columbus, Ohio (Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center) — PI: Arjun Mittra, MD
- Dallas, Texas (UT Southwestern / Simmons Cancer Center) — PI: Alex Kim, MD, PhD
Estimated Enrollment: 24 patients
Study Overview
This Phase I trial tests intraperitoneal (IP) oxaliplatin + fluorouracil (5FU) delivered via an implanted port in patients with colorectal cancer with isolated peritoneal metastases (peritoneal carcinomatosis index [PCI] amenable to IP therapy).
Rationale
Systemic chemotherapy achieves poor drug concentrations in the peritoneal cavity. Direct IP delivery exposes peritoneal tumors to high local drug levels while limiting systemic toxicity — a strategy proven in ovarian cancer and now being adapted for CRC peritoneal metastases.
Key Eligibility (Summary)
- Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma with isolated peritoneal metastases (no unresectable extraperitoneal disease)
- PCI ≥10 (or measurable peritoneal disease)
- ECOG ≤1, adequate organ/marrow function, age ≥18
- No clinically significant ascites from cirrhosis; no prior IP chemotherapy
Primary Endpoints
- Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of IP oxaliplatin + 5FU (Bayesian optimal interval design)
- Safety/tolerability (CTCAE v5.0)
- Pharmacokinetics of IP 5FU/oxaliplatin in blood and peritoneal fluid
Secondary Endpoints
- Tumor microenvironment modulation, circulating immune changes
- Conversion to resectability (PCI <20), imaging response rates
Contact
Ohio State: Arjun Mittra, MD | OSUCCCClinicaltrials@osumc.edu | (800) 293-5066
UT Southwestern: Jennifer Knight / Alex Kim, MD, PhD | Jennifer.Knight@UTSouthwestern.edu | (214) 648-7097
Standard vs. Investigational Approaches in Colorectal Cancer
| Clinical Scenario | Standard of Care | Investigational Approach (These Trials) |
|---|---|---|
| Post-curative treatment, ctDNA+ | Surveillance ± adjuvant chemo (completed) | AMB-05X targeting CSF1R+ macrophages to clear MRD (NCT06617858) |
| Chemorefractory MSS/pMMR CRC + liver mets | Regorafenib, TAS-102, or clinical trial | SBRT + Botensilimab + Balstilimab dual checkpoint + radiation (NCT07128355) |
| Isolated peritoneal metastases | Systemic chemo ± cytoreductive surgery/HIPEC (selected) | IP Oxaliplatin + 5FU locoregional delivery (NCT06269978) |
Note: This table summarizes investigational approaches only. Standard-of-care decisions should be made with your oncology team.
How Corterve Helps You Find Colorectal Cancer Trials
Corterve's matching platform connects patients to recruiting trials using:
- Precision condition search — Filter for "colorectal cancer," "colon cancer," "rectal cancer," "peritoneal metastases," "ctDNA," "MSS CRC," or "liver metastases"
- Location + travel radius — See trials recruiting near your ZIP code (Houston, Boston, Dallas, Columbus, and more)
- Structured pre-screen — 4–6 questions covering stage, biomarkers (MSI/MMR, ctDNA), prior treatments, and travel willingness
- Direct site referral — If you pre-qualify, we connect you to the study coordinator
Search actively recruiting colorectal cancer trials: Corterve Colorectal Cancer Trials
Search for ctDNA/MRD trials: Corterve ctDNA Trials
Search for liver metastasis trials: Corterve CRC Liver Mets Trials
Get personalized alerts: Register with your ZIP code to be notified when new CRC studies open near you.
Questions to Ask Your Oncology Team
- Is my tumor MSS/pMMR or MSI-H/dMMR? Has ctDNA/MRD testing been done?
- Do I have liver-limited or peritoneal-only metastatic disease?
- Have I received 5-FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFOX/FOLFIRI)?
- Am I a candidate for SBRT to liver lesions?
- What are the logistics of an IP port placement and intraperitoneal infusions?
- Are there other biomarker-driven trials (KRAS G12C, HER2, BRAF, NTRK) I should consider?
> Important: Pre-qualification on Corterve is a first step only. The research site's team makes the final eligibility determination after full medical review, imaging, labs, and biomarker testing. Colorectal cancer treatment decisions should always be made with your multidisciplinary care team (medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, GI/hepatic surgery).
Take the Next Step
Search actively recruiting colorectal cancer trials now: Corterve Colorectal Cancer Trials
Register for new trial alerts: Get notified when CRC studies open at centers near you.
Disclaimer: Corterve is a clinical trial matching platform, not a medical provider. We do not give medical advice, diagnose conditions, or guarantee trial eligibility or outcomes. All eligibility determinations and medical decisions are made by the study's research team and your healthcare providers. This post uses publicly available trial metadata from ClinicalTrials.gov (accessed July 2025) for informational purposes only. Trial status, locations, and criteria can change — verify current details on ClinicalTrials.gov or with the study site. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any clinical trial or changing your treatment plan.