Using blood tests to monitor cancer treatment in patients with colorectal cancer
Official title: Systematic liquid biopsy to monitor residual disease and treatment efficacy in gastrointestinal cancer patients
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10894923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a simple blood test can help find tiny traces of cancer in people with Stage III colorectal cancer after surgery, to see if it can help identify those who might need extra treatment to prevent the cancer from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $271,298 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA273688-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer who have undergone surgical resection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or those who have not undergone surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with Stage III colorectal cancer after surgery. By analyzing blood samples, the study aims to identify patients at high risk of cancer recurrence and evaluate whether additional therapy can improve their outcomes. The research involves a multi-institutional trial with 500 patients, testing the effectiveness of ctDNA detection and its correlation with treatment success. This innovative approach could lead to better monitoring and treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved monitoring of cancer treatment and potentially increase cure rates for colorectal cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using ctDNA as a biomarker for cancer monitoring, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parikh, Aparna Raj — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Parikh, Aparna Raj
Related research
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A doctor-led program will use a blood test to find tiny cancer traces after surgery for Stage III colorectal cancer and see if additional therapy can improve chances of cure.
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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.