Brazilian soccer legend Pelé died of colon cancer. Here are the cutting-edge clinical trials trying to find new treatments for the disease.

Pel, also known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died of colon cancer at the age of 22. He was on the Brazilian national team for three World Cup wins, he was one of the top goal scorer in history, and he helped popularize the sport in the US.

The third most common cancer is colorectal cancer. There were more than 930,000 deaths in the year 2020. It is expected to become more common by the year 2040, with a predicted increase to 3 million cases and 1.6 million deaths.

The Black Panther star died of colon cancer at the age of 43, making him the only celebrity to have died of the disease in the last few years.

According to a list put together by the National Cancer Institute, there are four phase three clinical trials in the US. In order of how recently the trials started, here are the cutting-edge colon cancer trials.

One trial is testing the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy

One trial is testing the effects of a drug called atezolizumab on a type of colon cancer that is caused by the inability to repair itself. The brand name Tecentriq is manufactured by Genentech and is already used to treat a number of other cancers.

The trial is trying to figure out if combining this immunotherapy with chemotherapy will give better results. It started in September of last year and is expected to end in April of next year.

Another trial is studying how vitamin D3 could help supercharge cancer treatments

The SOLARIS trial is comparing what happens to patients when they are treated with a combination of drugs and vitamins. Calcium is necessary for healthy bones. It is thought that it may affect the immune system and help prevent some cancer types. The study will conclude in July of 2024.

This trial is studying four different methods of treatment to see which is the best

A third study is looking at the effects of different treatment options on patients who have been treated for colon cancer but are at risk of it returning. If a tumor is not completely killed, it may still be spreading its genetic material throughout the body, and patients that test positive for this may be at a higher risk of the tumor returning. Four groups are treated with drugs that block cell growth The trial is expected to conclude in February of 2023.

The most recent clinical trial is testing a brand new drug

The most recent trial to begin is investigating a brand new drug that blocks tumor growth, as well as other important tumor functions, when used in conjunction with atezolizumab. Exelixis is a Bay Area based company that developed cancer drugs