Identifying blood markers to predict treatment response in rectal cancer patients
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-11143949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $470,000 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3CA271230-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer who are scheduled to receive neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with rectal cancer who are not receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy or those with early-stage disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who are undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The goal is to develop and validate a blood test that can predict how well a patient will respond to this treatment. By analyzing specific biomarkers in blood samples, researchers aim to determine which patients are likely to benefit from the therapy and which may not respond at all. This approach seeks to make treatment more personalized and effective, potentially sparing some patients from unnecessary side effects of ineffective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment plans for rectal cancer patients, improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using blood-based biomarkers for predicting treatment responses in various cancers, suggesting that this approach may be viable.
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.
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Blood tests to predict who will respond to pre-surgery therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
A blood-based test is being developed to predict which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer will respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiation before surgery.
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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.
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People with HER2‑positive locally advanced rectal cancer will receive tucatinib plus trastuzumab up front to shrink tumors and possibly avoid radiation or surgery.
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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.