Read article A study to understand more about how chemotherapy affects proteins and DNA
This study is looking at blood samples from people having chemotherapy for stomach, food pipe and colorectal cancers.
We know that, in most cases, cancers of the same type can be slightly different in their make up. This is because a variety of gene defects may cause the same disease. Not everyone with the same cancer may have the same gene defect or protein make up. So people may respond to treatment differently even if they have the same type of cancer.
Researchers want to understand more about how genes or proteins are involved in cancer development, cancer spread and response to treatment. In this study, they will examine DNA and also use new technology called Protein Chip Profiling to examine hundreds of proteins from people having chemotherapy. The aims of this study are to
- Look at any changes during cancer treatment in proteins and DNA in the liquid part of the blood (serum) and hair follicles
- See if these changes reflect what is happening to the cancer
- Identify new characteristics (markers) in serum and hair follicle samples that may help predict outcome (prognosis) for future patients
You will not have any direct benefit from taking part in this study, and it is unlikely to change your treatment plan in any way. But the results of the study will be used to help people with cancer in the future.
Recruitment
Phase
Who can enter
You can enter this study if you
- Have adenocarcinoma of the large bowel or back passage (colorectal cancer) that has spread to nearby body tissues or to another part of the body, and you are due to have chemotherapy containing a fluoropyrimidine drug such as ‘modified de Gramont' or capecitabine (Xeloda) OR
- Have adenocarcinoma of the food pipe (oesophagus) or stomach and are due to have ECF chemotherapy
- Are at least 18 years of age
You cannot enter this study if you
- Have had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy within 6 weeks of starting this study
- Have any condition that would stop you being able to have blood tests
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Trial design
This study will recruit 75 people of each cancer type to start with. If results look promising for any type it will recruit 70 more people with the same cancer to confirm what the study team have found.
Everyone taking part will be due to start the course of chemotherapy already planned for them. This treatment is not part of the study.
For the study, everyone will give a series of 4 blood samples during each cycle of treatment.
If you are only having 5FU chemotherapy, the study team will ask if you would be willing to give a couple of hairs from your eyebrow. The study team will look at the hair follicles for a protein called p53, and for substances (markers) that show DNA damage. If you agree, they will pluck a hair from your eyebrow before you start your course of chemotherapy. And at one other point during your course of treatment.
Hospital visits
As far as possible, you will give your blood samples on days when you are already at the hospital for treatment. But if you are having modified de Gramont chemotherapy you will need to make one extra visit for each cycle of treatment you have.
Side effects
You may have a small bruise where you had your blood test. Plucking hair from the eyebrow may sting for a few seconds.
Location of trial
For more information
Please note: we cannot help you to join a specific trial. Unless we state otherwise in this trial summary, you need to print this page and take it to your own doctor to discuss.
Find out how to join a trial or contact our cancer information nurses for other questions about cancer by phone (0808 800 4040), by email, or at
Cancer Research UK
Angel Building
407 St John Street
London
EC1V 4AD
Chief Investigator
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How to take part
Read more about how to join a clinical trial
