A study looking at blood samples to find out more about how chemotherapy and surgery affect cancer of the stomach or gastro oesophageal junction

Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.

Cancer type:

Oesophageal cancer
Stomach cancer

Status:

Closed

Phase:

Other

This study is looking at the length of a structure called a telomere to see if it changes during a course of cancer treatment.

More about this trial

All body cells contain chromosomes Open a glossary item, contained in the control centre of the cell (the nucleus Open a glossary item). The chromosomes are made of DNA. This is the genetic code – the blueprint for a human being. DNA is a bit like an instruction manual for building the body and keeping it healthy.

This study is looking at structures at the ends of chromosomes called telomeres. Telomeres act as caps to protect the chromosome. We know from research that telomeres can be shorter than usual when someone has cancer. Researchers think that telomere length may also be important as a marker of how cancer cells might respond to chemotherapy. And of how cells age, which might be important in cancer treatment.

In this study, they will measure telomere lengths in blood samples of people having chemotherapy before and after surgery to treat their cancer. They will look at any changes in the telomeres. And try to see if any changes in these and other markers of ageing cells and cell damage help them understand how chemotherapy affects cancer.

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.

Who can enter

You can enter this study if you

You cannot enter this study if you

  • Have any condition that would make it difficult or unsafe for you to give blood samples for the study
  • Have had radiotherapy or systemic Open a glossary item anti cancer treatment in the last 6 weeks
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Trial design

This study will recruit 153 people. Everyone will give an extra blood sample

  • At the start of the study
  • Before each cycle of chemotherapy you have before and after surgery
  • Before and after your surgery
  • At any follow up appointment you have after this

Hospital visits

You give the study blood samples when you are at the hospital for your treatment or follow up appointment. So you will not need to make any extra visits to take part.

Side effects

You may have a small bruise where you gave your blood sample.

Recruitment start:

Recruitment end:

How to join a clinical trial

Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Chief Investigator

Professor Jeff Evans

Supported by

Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer

If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

7895

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Last reviewed:

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