Investigating how blood vessel invasion affects cancer spread in colorectal cancer

EMVI as a Determinant of Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

Imperial College London · NCT06646341

This study is trying to see if cancer spreading through blood vessels makes colorectal cancer worse than if it spreads through lymph nodes by looking at tissue samples from patients who had surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages16 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorImperial College London (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Basingstoke, Hampshire)
Trial IDNCT06646341 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the relationship between Extramural Venous Invasion (EMVI) and the development of distant metastases in colorectal cancer. By analyzing archival tissue samples from patients who have undergone surgery for colorectal cancer, the study will assess whether cancer spreads more significantly through blood vessels rather than lymph nodes. The research will utilize genetic material from tumors to reconstruct phylogenetic trees, comparing the origins of primary tumors, EMVI, tumor deposits, lymph nodes, and distant metastases. The findings could lead to a major shift in how metastatic disease is understood and treated.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 16 years or older who have undergone surgical removal of their colorectal cancer and any distant metastases.

Not a fit: Patients who have had a complete pathological response in their primary tumor or those with inadequate tissue samples will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the identification of patients who would benefit from targeted adjuvant treatments, potentially enhancing survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of examining blood vessel invasion in cancer spread is gaining attention, this specific study's focus on EMVI in colorectal cancer is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Are aged 16 years or over with colorectal cancer
2. Colon / rectum has been surgically removed
3. Distant metastases has been surgically removed
4. Pre operative staging in the form of CT/MRI has been undertaken and images available for review

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pathological complete response in the primary tumour
2. Local resection of the primary tumour
3. Inadequate quantity of tissue sample to perform analyses

Where this trial is running

Basingstoke, Hampshire

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Colo-rectal Cancer, Extramural Venous Invasion, Extranodal Tumour Deposits, Imaging and Pathology Biomarkers, Pelvic Recurrence, Colorectal Cancer, Local Advanced Rectal Cancer, Metastatic Spread

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.