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TMERELOADNCT07463261

REsults of LOw Anterior Resections With or Without Preventive Stoma in Nonemergency Department

A study testing Without a preventive stoma and With a preventive stoma in people with TME and Rectal Cancer Surgery, run by ANO Scientific and Practical Club for the Development of Modern Medical Technologies at 7 sites in Russia.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this multicenter randomized non-inferiority trial is to evaluate the safety of low anterior resection for rectal cancer performed with versus without a diverting stoma in patients with a low predicted risk of colorectal anastomotic leakage. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
TME, Rectal Cancer Surgery, Low Rectal Cancer
What is being tested?
Without a preventive stoma and With a preventive stoma
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
442 participants
Where
7 sitesRussia
Study dates
5 May 2026to 10 Jun 2027
Phase
Interventional
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 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age >18 years;
  • Primary rectal cancer staged as cT1-4aN0-3M0 (or ycT0-4aN0-2M0);
  • Histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma based on endoscopic biopsy;
  • Tumor located ≤12 cm from the dentate line (based on endoscopy, digital rectal examination, and/or pelvic MRI);
  • Planned radical minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robot-assisted) intervention with TME and formation of primary colorectal/colonanal anastomosis;
  • Adequate hematologic function: hemoglobin ≥100 g/L, leukocytes >4 × 10^9/L, platelets >100 × 10^9/L;
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  • Adequate renal function: serum creatinine <150 µmol/L;
  • Adequate hepatic function: AST/ALT <100 U/L;
  • Predicted risk of anastomotic leakage ≤10% (AFOR 0-1).

Who cannot join

  • Age ≥80 years;
  • Presence of a pre-existing diverting ileostomy or colostomy;
  • Peritumoral abscess or tumor perforation;
  • Distant metastases (M1) identified preoperatively and/or intraoperatively;
  • Synchronous or metachronous malignancy;
  • Prior pelvic irradiation for another condition (e.g., cervical or prostate cancer);
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  • Evidence of malnutrition (serum albumin <34 g/L);
  • Severe uncontrolled comorbid conditions (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, decompensated heart failure, immunosuppression, systemic corticosteroid therapy, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease stage 4-5), type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, or psychiatric/neurological disorders impairing the ability to provide informed consent;
  • Tumor invasion into adjacent structures or organs (cT4b) identified preoperatively and/or intraoperatively;
  • Predicted risk of anastomotic leakage >10% (AFOR 2-6).

Trial locations and contacts

7 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Vladislava S Goncharova, Ms. contact

+7 900 468 9026

vladislava.26@mail.ru

Nikita N Burlov, Dr. contact

+79819430019

dikefsound@gmail.com

7 sites in 1 country

Russia7 sites, 7 recruiting
  • Moscow City Oncology Hospital No. 62 of the Moscow Department of Health

    Moscow, 143423

    Ilya Chernikovsky, +79216576756, odindra@mail.ru

    Recruiting
  • Central Clinical Hospital of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation

    Moscow

    Artem Goncharov, +79990112121, goncharovartemleo@gmail.com

    Recruiting
  • State Budgetary Institution of Healthcare of the city of Moscow "Moscow Clinical Scientific and Practical Center named after A.S. Loginov of the Department of Healthcare of the City of Moscow"

    Moscow

    Vischeslav Aliev, +79990112121, afandiali76@gmail.com

    Recruiting
  • State Autonomous Healthcare Institution of Nizhny Novgorod Region "Research Institute of Clinical Oncology "Nizhny Novgorod Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary""

    Nizhny Novgorod

    Gleb Khrykov, +79990112121, ghrykov@mail.ru

    Recruiting
  • Leningrad Regional Clinical Hospital

    Saint Petersburg

    Alexey Smirnov, +79990112121, oncsmirnov@yandex.ru

    Recruiting
  • Republican clinical oncological center

    Ufa

    Rustem Ayupov, +79990112121, ru2003@bk.ru

    Recruiting
  • Sverdlovsk Regional Oncological Center

    Yekaterinburg

    Nikolay Makhotin, +79990112121, n.v.mahotin@mail.ru

    Recruiting

Other trials in Russia

About this study

Official title: Results of Anastomotic Leak After Low Anterior Resection With or Without Preventive Stoma for Rectal Cancer in Low-risk Patients in Nonemergency Departments (RELOAD): Protocol of Multicenter Randomized Controlled Non-inferiority Trial

The purpose of this multicenter randomized non-inferiority trial is to evaluate the safety of low anterior resection for rectal cancer performed with versus without a diverting stoma in patients with a low predicted risk of colorectal anastomotic leakage.

The primary objective is to determine whether the rate of anastomotic leakage within 30 days after surgery in the no-stoma group is non-inferior to that in the diverting stoma group.

Read more

The secondary objectives include comparison between groups regarding: Stoma rate at 1 year after surgery; Quality of life at 30 days and 1 year (EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-CR29, and LARS score); Short-term postoperative outcomes, including postoperative day metrics, length of hospital stay, and complications graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification; Reoperation rates within 30 days and 1 year.

Participants will include adult patients with mid- or low-rectal adenocarcinoma who are scheduled for radical minimally invasive total mesorectal excision and have a predicted risk of anastomotic leakage <10% according to the study risk model.

Read the detailed description

This study is a multicenter randomized controlled non-inferiority trial evaluating the safety of omitting routine diverting stoma formation in low-risk patients undergoing total mesorectal excision (TME) for mid- and low-rectal cancer.

Patients with a predicted risk of colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) ≤10% will be enrolled across 7 accredited centers. Local Ethics Committee approval has been obtained at each site. The protocol follows the SPIRIT 2025 recommendations.

After informed consent, patients will be randomized 1:1 to "with preventive stoma" and "without preventive stoma". Stratified block randomization (block sizes 2, 4, or 6) will be used, stratified by center and sex. Allocation will be computer-generated (R software). No blinding will be performed. Cross-over to stoma formation in the no-stoma group is permitted in case of intraoperative safety concerns.

All patients will undergo minimally invasive TME according to oncological principles (sharp dissection within embryological planes, adequate vascular control, stapled tension-free colorectal anastomosis).

In the stoma group, a diverting ileostomy or colostomy will be created. Closure is planned ≥2-3 months postoperatively if clinically appropriate.

Postoperative care follows institutional standards. Complications will be graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Patients will be followed for 1 year with clinical visits (or telephone follow-up) at 30 days and every 3 months. Imaging and colonoscopy will be performed according to clinical guidelines. Quality-of-life assessments and LARS score will be obtained at 30 days and 1 year.

Risk Prediction Model. To include the patient in the study, the risk of anastomotic leaks will be assessed on the AFOR scale. If the value is 0-1 (6-10%), the patient will be invited to participate.

Sample Size and Statistical Analysis. Assuming a baseline AL rate of 15% in the stoma group, a non-inferiority margin of 10%, one-sided α=2.5%, 80% power, and 10% dropout rate, 442 patients (221 per group) are required. The primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. A binomial logistic regression model will estimate risk difference with 95% confidence intervals using clustered robust standard errors by center. Non-inferiority will be concluded if the upper bound of the confidence interval does not cross the predefined margin. Sensitivity analyses will include per-protocol and instrumental variable approaches. Missing data for secondary outcomes will be handled using multiple imputation (MCAR assumption).

Interim Safety Analysis. A safety analysis will be conducted after enrollment of 50 patients per group. If unacceptable differences in AL rates are observed, early termination may be considered.

Being tested
Without a preventive stoma, With a preventive stoma
Keywords
rectal cancer, preventive stoma, randomized trial, low-risk patients, anastomotic leak
Medical subject headings
Rectal Neoplasms, Anastomotic Leak

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Without a preventive stomaProcedure or surgery

    At the conclusion of total mesorectal excision (TME), a diverting ileostomy or transverse colostomy will be created at the discretion of the operating surgeon. The pelvic peritoneum over the anastomotic site will be closed, and a pelvic drain will be placed (the type of drain will be determined by the operating surgeon).

  • With a preventive stomaProcedure or surgery

    The operating surgeon will follow the standard practice adopted at the respective center and will create either a diverting ileostomy or transverse colostomy at their discretion. The pelvic peritoneum will not be closed. Placement of a percutaneous pelvic drain adjacent to the anastomotic site is mandatory.

Study groups in NCT07463261
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Without a preventive stomaExperimentalIn the no-stoma group, a diverting stoma will not be created provided there are no intraoperative complications and surgical safety principles are maintained. If intraoperative findings suggest a high risk of anastomotic leakage such as a positive air leak test of the colorectal anastomosis, bowel perforation, use of three or more linear stapler cartridges, blood loss >300 mL, impaired bowel wall perfusion, or tension at the anastomotic site and/or if patient safety is deemed at risk, a diverting stoma may be created at the surgeon's discretion (cross-over).
Receives: Procedure: Without a preventive stoma
With a preventive stomaActive comparatorIn the stoma group, a diverting ileostomy or colostomy will be created at the end of the surgical procedure in the right or left lateral abdominal wall, according to the technique routinely used at each participating center. Stoma closure will be planned according to standard practice (no earlier than 2-3 months after surgery), provided there are no contraindications.
Receives: Procedure: With a preventive stoma

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Colorectal anastomotic leak

    If anastomotic leakage is suspected in the postoperative period defined by worsening abdominal pain (>5-point increase on the Visual Analog Scale), signs of peritonitis, drain output containing fibrin or intestinal content, or radiologic findings suggestive of leakage on contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis (with or without proctography) and/or findings at diagnostic laparoscopy. Diagnostic and/or therapeutic measures will be undertaken to confirm or rule out the complication.

    Measured: 30 days after main surgery

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Postoperative complications

    Postoperative complications will be classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification

    Measured: 30 days after main surgery

  2. Reoperation rate

    During a clinic visit or by telephone interview

    Measured: 30 days and 1 year after main surgery

  3. Stoma rate

    During a clinic visit or by telephone interview

    Measured: 1 year after main surgery

  4. Hospital readmissions

    The frequency of repeated admissions to this or other hospitals after the patient's discharge

    Measured: 30 days after main surgery

  5. Quality of life by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Cancer30 (EORTC-C30)

    EORTC-C30 domain scores in scales 0-100 points, a high score for the global health status /quality of life represents a high quality of life, but a high score for a symptom scale / item represents a high level of symptomatology / problems.

    Measured: 30 days and 1 year after surgery

  6. Quality of life by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-ColoRectal 29 (EORTC-CR29)

    EORTC-CR29 domain scores in scales 0-100 points, a high score for the global health status /quality of life represents a high quality of life, but a high score for a symptom scale / item represents a high level of symptomatology / problems.

    Measured: 30 days and 1 year after surgery

  7. Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS)

    At 1 year, assessment of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) will be performed during a clinic visit or by telephone interview.

    Measured: 1 year after main surgery

  8. Length of hospital stay

    total days in hospital

    Measured: until discharge within 90 days

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Mar 2026
  2. Study start5 May 2026
  3. Primary completion10 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion10 Jun 2027 (estimated)

Resources

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
442 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07463261
Sponsor's protocol ID
07/25
Acronym
RELOAD
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
25 Feb 2026
Last updated
13 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Without a preventive stoma and With a preventive stoma in people with TME and Rectal Cancer Surgery, run by ANO Scientific and Practical Club for the Development of Modern Medical Technologies at 7 sites in Russia.

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 9 inclusion and 10 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 13 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 7 sites in Russia. 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.

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 Vladislava S Goncharova, Ms. (+7 900 468 9026, vladislava.26@mail.ru), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Colorectal anastomotic leak (time frame: 30 days after main 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 13 May 2026.

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