A study to learn more about the causes of cancer of unknown primary (EGG-CUP)

Cancer type:

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP)

Status:

Open

Phase:

Other

This study is looking at blood and tissue samples to study gene changes Open a glossary item that could affect the development of cancer of unknown primary. 

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) means that cancer spread has been found in your body (secondary cancer). But your doctors can't find where the cancer started (the primary cancer). It is sometimes called unknown primary cancer or unknown primary tumour.

More about this trial

When you are diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary (CUP), it is important to get as much information as possible. This is to help identify the best treatment. 

In this study, the team want to better understand the changes that have happened in cancer cells which have resulted in your diagnosis of cancer. They plan to look at gene changes (mutations Open a glossary item) and biomarkers Open a glossary item. To do this they take blood samples. If it isn’t possible to identify any gene changes in the blood samples, the team will ask to examine a tissue sample (biopsy Open a glossary item) taken in the past. 

The team hope they can use this information to guide treatment choices and to produce a tool that may help them understand how treatment will work. They also hope it will give them more information about where in the body the primary cancer might have started.

The main aim of this study is to learn more about the genetic make up of your cancer. 

Please note, you might not benefit directly from taking part in this study. It could help to tailor your treatment if there are trials looking at newer treatments. And it might help to improve treatment for people with CUP in the future.

Who can enter

The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you. 

Who can take part

You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You:

  • have been diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) and the multi disciplinary team Open a glossary item have confirmed this
  • are up and about for at least half the day but might not be able to work (performance status 0, 1 or 2)
  • have tissue samples from a previous biopsy Open a glossary item or surgery
  • are willing to have blood samples taken at two different timepoints in the study
  • are at least 16 years old 

Who can’t take part

You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You:

  • have cancer and your doctors know where it started
  • have a bleeding problem. You can take part if you take medication to thin the blood and this is suitably managed when you have blood samples taken. Your doctor will know this.
  • can’t have blood samples taken for any reason 
  • have HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • have a medical condition or mental health condition that could affect you taking part

Trial design

This study is taking place in the UK. The team need 100 people to take part. 

You have blood samples taken:

  • when you join the study
  • at a follow up appointment after treatment

Where possible you have these taken when you have routine blood tests. 

The team also ask to look at a tissue sample taken at a previous biopsy Open a glossary item or during surgery. 

Getting your genetic test results
A group of cancer healthcare professionals will review the results. They will check whether the results could help with your treatment. Your doctor will tell you about results that have a direct impact on the care of your current cancer. This might be because they find a treatment that could be suitable for you based on the genetic information. 

There are also two kinds of information that the genetic tests could find that won’t have a direct impact on your cancer. These are finding:

  • an inherited cancer gene that could affect you and your family. Your family members may or may not have inherited that gene. They would have to have tests to find out.
  • a gene that increases your risk of another medical condition 

It is important to think about whether you, your family or both would want to know about this. It is fine if you don’t want to know as it won’t affect you taking part in this study.  

The team will talk to you about these situations and refer you and your family for genetic counselling if you wish. This is so you are aware of the possible implications of these results. The genetic specialists may then offer some gene testing to see if your family members have the inherited gene too. 

Follow up
The team will collect some information to see what type of treatment you have. They will check how you are getting on for up to 1 year after you join the study. They might phone you to see how you are, contact your GP or check your medical notes. 

The team will also ask your permission to store some samples for current and future research. You don’t have to agree to this.

Hospital visits

You won’t have any extra hospital visits if you take part in this study.

Side effects

You might have discomfort or bruising from the blood samples. Sometimes people may feel lightheaded or faint.

Finding out the genetic information may cause you to feel upset. This could be because they find a gene linked to developing another medical condition or an inherited cancer gene.

You don’t have to agree to be told this information. If you do agree, the team can refer you for genetic counselling if your results show genetic changes. The genetic counsellor or specialist nurse can offer you information and support.

Location

Blackpool
Kendal
Liverpool
Manchester

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

Dr Natalie Cook

Supported by

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)
Rosetrees Trust
F.Hoffmann-La Roche A

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

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

20001

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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