Blood tests to predict who will respond to pre-surgery therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
Official title: Validation of blood-based predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11330520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A blood-based test is being developed to predict which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer will respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiation before surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $470,000 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3CA271230-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who are candidates for neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to have responsive biomarkers or who are not undergoing nCRT may not benefit from this particular test.
What this research studies
This project aims to validate a minimally invasive blood test that uses a Luminex multiplexed assay to predict whether a patient will respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Six candidate biomarkers will be tested in real-world clinical specimens to determine their accuracy and reliability. If successful, the test could help doctors tailor treatment plans before surgery and spare some patients from ineffective therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If validated, the biomarker assay could guide personalized treatment, potentially improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary exposure to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have explored biomarkers for predicting nCRT response, but this project seeks to validate a specific Luminex-based assay in a real-world setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arora, Sanjeevani — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Arora, Sanjeevani
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Predicting who responds to preoperative therapy for rectal cancer using combined photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging
A study is testing a new imaging method to better predict which locally advanced rectal cancer patients will respond to preoperative treatment so some may avoid unnecessary surgery.
-
Dose levels of aerobic exercise during cancer therapy for rectal cancer
A personalized exercise plan is tested to see how different amounts of aerobic training affect how well people with locally advanced rectal cancer tolerate their treatment.
-
Tucatinib and trastuzumab given before other treatments for HER2‑positive rectal cancer
People with HER2‑positive locally advanced rectal cancer will receive tucatinib plus trastuzumab up front to shrink tumors and possibly avoid radiation or surgery.
-
Identifying blood markers to predict treatment response in rectal cancer patients
This study is looking at how a new blood test can help doctors figure out which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer will respond well to their treatment before they start, so they can tailor the therapy to each person and avoid unnecessary side effects.
-
Using advanced imaging to predict treatment response in rectal cancer
This study is looking to help people with locally advanced rectal cancer by using new imaging methods to better understand how well they respond to treatment before surgery, which could help doctors make smarter choices and possibly spare some patients from unnecessary operations.
-
Effects of aerobic training on cancer treatment tolerability in rectal cancer patients
This study is looking at how different amounts of aerobic exercise can help people with locally advanced rectal cancer feel better and handle their treatment more easily, and it’s designed for patients who are about to start their cancer therapy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.