Rectal CancersPhase 2PKUCH-R10NCT07833319
Local Methylene Blue Injection for Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage and Permanent Stoma After Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer
A Phase 2 study testing methylene blue injection in people with Rectal Cancers, run by Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Rectal cancer surgery has become increasingly effective, allowing many patients to avoid permanent colostomy. However, anastomotic leakage remains one of the most serious complications after rectal cancer surgery, especially in patients undergoing low anterior resection. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Rectal Cancers
- What is being tested?
- methylene blue injection
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 25 Nov 2025to 1 Jul 2028
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 years or older with histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma.
- Patients with mid or low rectal cancer (tumor located within 10 cm from the anal verge) who are scheduled to undergo curative low anterior resection with a temporary diverting ileostomy.
- Patients with one or more risk factors associated with postoperative stoma non-closure or anastomotic complications, including male sex, narrow pelvis, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, prolonged operative time, or increased intraoperative bleeding risk.
- Patients who are considered suitable candidates for surgery and postoperative follow-up according to the investigator's assessment.
- Patients who are willing to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Patients with emergency surgical conditions, including intestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, or acute abdominal infection before surgery.
- Patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection, local excision, or other surgical procedures without colorectal anastomosis and diverting ileostomy.
- Patients with other active malignancies or recurrent rectal cancer. Patients who are unable to tolerate the planned surgery or follow-up procedures.
- Patients with contraindications or known hypersensitivity to methylene blue injection.
- Patients with severe medical conditions or laboratory abnormalities that may increase study-related risks or interfere with study outcome evaluation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Beijing Cancer Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100142
About this study
Official title: A Prospective Single-arm Phase II Clinical Study Evaluating Local Methylene Blue Injection for Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage and Permanent Stoma in High-risk Patients With Rectal Cancer Undergoing Low Anterior Resection
Rectal cancer surgery has become increasingly effective, allowing many patients to avoid permanent colostomy. However, anastomotic leakage remains one of the most serious complications after rectal cancer surgery, especially in patients undergoing low anterior resection. Anastomotic leakage may lead to pelvic infection, prolonged hospitalization, additional treatments, and may affect the recovery of temporary diverting stomas.
This investigator-initiated clinical study aims to evaluate the safety and potential effectiveness of local methylene blue injection around the pelvic floor after completion of colorectal anastomosis in patients with high-risk rectal cancer undergoing low anterior resection with a temporary diverting ileostomy.
Read more
In this study, eligible patients will receive local injection of diluted methylene blue solution into the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the anastomosis after surgery. Participants will be followed for 12 months after surgery. The study will evaluate postoperative outcomes, including the occurrence of anastomotic leakage, complications related to the injection procedure, and whether the temporary stoma can be successfully reversed.
The information collected in this study may help determine whether local methylene blue injection is a safe and feasible approach for reducing postoperative complications and improving recovery after rectal cancer surgery.
- Conditions
- Rectal Cancers
- Being tested
- methylene blue injection
- Keywords
- Rectal cancer, methylene blue, defunctioning stoma
- Medical subject headings
- Rectal Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
methylene blue injectionDrug
Eligible patients have mid-low locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (≤10 cm from anal verge) with at least one risk factor for stoma non-closure, scheduled for low anterior resection with defunctioning ileostomy. After anastomosis, 20 mL of 0.1% methylene blue is injected into the pelvic floor muscles.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental | Experimental | methylene blue injection Receives: Drug: methylene blue injection |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Proportion of participants with successful stoma closure within 12 months after surgery
Successful stoma closure is defined as reversal of the temporary diverting ileostomy within 12 months after low anterior resection. The outcome will be reported as the proportion of participants who undergo stoma closure among all enrolled participants.
Measured: 12 months after surgery
Secondary outcomes (2)
Number of participants with postoperative surgical complications within 30 days after surgery
Postoperative surgical complications will be assessed within 30 days after surgery and reported as the number and proportion of participants experiencing at least one complication. Complications will be graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Assessed complications include, but are not limited to, anastomotic leakage, surgical site infection, bleeding, ileus, and other surgery-related complications.
Measured: 30 days after surgery
Number of participants with methylene blue-related adverse events within 30 days after surgery
Methylene blue-related adverse events will be within 30 days after surgery and reported as the number and proportion of participants experiencing adverse events considered related to local methylene blue injection. Assessed events include local tissue irritation, injection-site pain, tissue necrosis, allergic reactions, and other unexpected adverse events related to methylene blue administration.
Measured: 30 days after surgery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Sep 2026
- Study start25 Nov 2025
- Primary completion1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Rectal CancersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Peking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07833319
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PKUCH-R10
- Acronym
- PKUCH-R10
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Prospective Single-arm Phase II Clinical Study Evaluating Local Methylene Blue Injection for Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage and Permanent Stoma in High-risk Patients With Rectal Cancer Undergoing Low Anterior Resection
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07833319
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PKUCH-R10 / PKUCH-R10
- Conditions
- Rectal Cancers
- Keywords
- Rectal cancer, methylene blue, defunctioning stoma
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Peking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Rectal cancer surgery has become increasingly effective, allowing many patients to avoid permanent colostomy. However, anastomotic leakage remains one of the most serious complications after rectal cancer surgery, especially in patients undergoing low anterior resection. Anastomotic leakage may lead to pelvic infection, prolonged hospitalization, additional treatments, and may affect the recovery of temporary diverting stomas.
This investigator-initiated clinical study aims to evaluate the safety and potential effectiveness of local methylene blue injection around the pelvic floor after completion of colorectal anastomosis in patients with high-risk rectal cancer undergoing low anterior resection with a temporary diverting ileostomy.
In this study, eligible patients will receive local injection of diluted methylene blue solution into the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the anastomosis after surgery. Participants will be followed for 12 months after surgery. The study will evaluate postoperative outcomes, including the occurrence of anastomotic leakage, complications related to the injection procedure, and whether the temporary stoma can be successfully reversed.
The information collected in this study may help determine whether local methylene blue injection is a safe and feasible approach for reducing postoperative complications and improving recovery after rectal cancer surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental | Experimental | Drug: methylene blue injectionmethylene blue injection |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adults aged 18 years or older with histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma.
- Patients with mid or low rectal cancer (tumor located within 10 cm from the anal verge) who are scheduled to undergo curative low anterior resection with a temporary diverting ileostomy.
- Patients with one or more risk factors associated with postoperative stoma non-closure or anastomotic complications, including male sex, narrow pelvis, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, prolonged operative time, or increased intraoperative bleeding risk.
- Patients who are considered suitable candidates for surgery and postoperative follow-up according to the investigator's assessment.
- Patients who are willing to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patients with emergency surgical conditions, including intestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, or acute abdominal infection before surgery.
- Patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection, local excision, or other surgical procedures without colorectal anastomosis and diverting ileostomy.
- Patients with other active malignancies or recurrent rectal cancer. Patients who are unable to tolerate the planned surgery or follow-up procedures.
- Patients with contraindications or known hypersensitivity to methylene blue injection.
- Patients with severe medical conditions or laboratory abnormalities that may increase study-related risks or interfere with study outcome evaluation.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| methylene blue injectionEligible patients have mid-low locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (≤10 cm from anal verge) with at least one risk factor for stoma non-closure, scheduled for low anterior resection with defunctioning ileostomy. After anastomosis, 20 mL of 0.1% methylene blue is injected into the pelvic floor muscles. | Drug | Experimental |
Primary outcome
Proportion of participants with successful stoma closure within 12 months after surgery
Time frame: 12 months after surgery
Successful stoma closure is defined as reversal of the temporary diverting ileostomy within 12 months after low anterior resection. The outcome will be reported as the proportion of participants who undergo stoma closure among all enrolled participants.
2 secondary outcomes
Number of participants with postoperative surgical complications within 30 days after surgery
Time frame: 30 days after surgery
Number of participants with methylene blue-related adverse events within 30 days after surgery
Time frame: 30 days after surgery
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing methylene blue injection in people with Rectal Cancers, run by Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Aiwen Wu, M.D. (+8613911577190, wuaw@sina.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Proportion of participants with successful stoma closure within 12 months after surgery (time frame: 12 months after surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Sep 2026.