Background Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the first-line treatment for FIGO stage IIB cervical cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery may provide another treatment option.

Primary objective To compare the therapeutic outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery with cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage IIB cervical cancer.

Study hypothesis We hypothesize that the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with surgery and risk-adapted adjuvant treatment will be superior to that of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in stage IIB cervical cancer.

Trial design Patients with stage IIB cervical cancer will be randomized 1:1 to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (Arm A) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (Arm B). In arm A, patients will receive three cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin followed by a type C radical hysterectomy and pelvic ±paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Patients showing progression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be referred to concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Adjuvant therapy will be recommended according to the presence of pathological risks. In Arm B, all patients will receive definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy, including external beam pelvic radiotherapy combined with concurrent weekly cisplatin followed by brachytherapy.

Major inclusion/exclusion criteria Patients between 18 and 60 years with histologically confirmed, untreated stage IIB cervical squamous carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adeno-squamous carcinoma.

Primary endpoint The primary endpoint is 2-year disease-free survival.

Sample size An estimated sample size of 240 is required to fulfill the study objectives.

Estimated dates for completing accrual and presenting results As of February 2020, 115 eligible patients from four institutions have been enrolled. Enrollment is expected to be completed by December 2022.

Trial registration number ClinicalTrials. gov identifier: NCT02595554.