Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	117924
Country	China

Category	Immunology
Manuscript Type	Clinical Trials Study
Article Title	Radiotherapy-free neoadjuvant strategy using sintilimab plus XELOX in locally advanced rectal cancer: A single-arm phase II trial
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Wei-Dong Qiang, Qi Wei, Bo Yang, Wan-Jing Chen, Chang-Qing Lin and Yong-Xiang Li
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number National Natural Science Foundation of China 82372646
Corresponding Author	Yong-Xiang Li, PhD, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China. liyongxiang@ahmu.edu.cn
Key Words	Locally advanced rectal cancer; Immunotherapy; Sintilimab; Radiotherapy-free; Pathological complete response
Core Tip	This phase II single-arm study evaluated a radiotherapy-free neoadjuvant strategy using sintilimab plus XELOX in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer without mesorectal fascia involvement. The regimen achieved favorable pathological responses with acceptable toxicity. Tumor size > 4 cm and elevated baseline carcinoembryonic antigen levels were associated with a lower likelihood of major pathological response. Exploratory immune microenvironment analysis suggested a potential association between CD8+ T-cell infiltration and treatment response. These findings support further investigation of radiotherapy-sparing strategies in carefully selected patients.
Citation	Qiang WD, Wei Q, Yang B, Chen WJ, Lin CQ, Li YX. Radiotherapy-free neoadjuvant strategy using sintilimab plus XELOX in locally advanced rectal cancer: A single-arm phase II trial. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2025-12-22 03:07
Peer-Review Started	2025-12-22 03:07
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-20 09:27
Return for Revision	2026-01-20 09:27
Revised	2026-01-30 05:43
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-02-03 03:29
Second Decision by Editor	2026-03-23 02:44
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-03-23 08:27
Articles in Press	2026-03-23 08:27
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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