• ASCOLT-TR
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Trial Status

Completed / Translational Research Studies

Cancer Type

Colorectal Cancer

Protocol Title

ASCOLT circulating tumour DNA (“ActDNA”) translational study: prediction of minimal residual disease in a large Phase III randomised adjuvant colorectal cancer trial.

Purpose of the Study

Cancer can unfortunately come back in up to half of patients with early-stage bowel cancer following treatments including surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As part of the international ASCOLT trial, we collected blood samples at various times. This study uses some of those samples to see if we can predict even as early as when the patient has started the study, as to whether their cancer will come back (relapse).
The ASCOLT trial is looking at whether taking aspirin helps reduce the chance of the cancer returning in the future, for patients with early-stage bowel cancer once they have finished the usual treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy). Whilst we are waiting for the final study results, we can study the blood samples to see if we can find clues to see which patients will have relapse of their cancer.
Current methods of detecting whether the cancer will come back include some blood tests (the CEA marker) which is not very accurate, as well as regular CT scans, which cause patients anxiety and are again sometime inaccurate. Recently, there is evidence that a special blood test measuring circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA; also called a liquid biopsy) can detect tiny amounts of cancer-related genetic material (DNA) in the blood. If ctDNA is present in the blood, it may be an indicator that cancer is more likely to come back as there may be small collections of cancer cells left behind (these are not usually visible on CT scans).
Therefore, ctDNA has the potential to predict recurrence earlier and more accurately than current methods. If proven, ctDNA results can help to relieve patients’ fear of recurrence and also give strategies for earlier treatment of recurrence and guide the intensity of post-treatment monitoring (how many blood tests and scans) according to an individual patient’s risk.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Professor Eva Segelov
Dr Daphne Day

Contact Email

Please contact Dr Sarah Hayes (sarah@gicancer.org.au) if you have questions regarding this study.

Funding

2021 AGITG Innovation Grant

Trial Status

Completed / Translational Research Studies

Cancer Type

Colorectal Cancer