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 ). 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

Have a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma of the stomach or the place where the stomach and foodpipe join (the gastro oesophageal junction)
Are able to have surgery to remove your cancer
Are due to have chemotherapy called ECF, EOF, ECX or EOX before and after your surgery OR ECX and bevacizumab (Avastin) as part of the STO 3 study

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 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.