Validation of blood and urine tests for early cancer detection
Official title: Validation of DNA Methylation Markers for the Universal and Site-Specific Guided Cancer Detection (the VANGUARD Study)
Run by Mayo Clinic · NCT06304168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if blood and urine tests can help find some of the deadliest cancers earlier in people who have them compared to those who don’t.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 6150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Mayo Clinic Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Rochester, Minnesota) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 13, 2019 |
| Main results expected | May 15, 2028 |
| Study ends | May 15, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06304168 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include patients with biopsy-confirmed diagnoses of hematopoietic and lymphatic system neoplasms or malignant solid neoplasms.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without a confirmed cancer diagnosis or those with non-target histologies may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to validate DNA methylation markers (MDMs) for the early detection of various lethal cancers using blood and urine samples. It involves collecting tissue, blood, and urine samples from patients with confirmed cancer diagnoses and comparing them to control samples from individuals without cancer. The study will assess the feasibility of using these non-invasive biological mediums to detect the top 16 most lethal human cancers, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive method for early cancer detection, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using DNA methylation markers for cancer detection, suggesting a potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Aim 1 Tissue
* Cases:
* Patient has a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of target histology
* Tissue samples from synchronous or metachronous primary cancers may be used as long as they are clearly of a different target organ.
* Tumors from patients with an underlying genetic disorder pre-disposing to cancer may be included as long as they are stratified from those without
* Controls:
* Patient does not have the diagnosis of target histology
* Aim 2 Blood
* Cases:
* Patient has a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of target histology or radiographic criteria that are unequivocal for diagnosis (example, meets radiographic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma)
* Controls:
* Patient does not have a documented diagnosis of cancer within 1 year following blood collections
* Aim 3 Urine
* Cases:
* Patient has a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of target histology or radiographic criteria that are unequivocal for diagnosis (example, meets radiographic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma)
* Controls:
* Patient does not have a diagnosis of the target histology
Exclusion Criteria:
* Aim 1 Tissue
* Cases and Controls:
* Patient has had any transplants prior to tissue collection
* Patient has received chemotherapy class drugs within 5 years prior to tissue collection
* Cases:
* Patient has had radiation to the current target lesion prior to tissue collection
* Patient has multi-centric/multi-focal breast cancer with differing genetic profiles (ER/HER2/PR status differ; if multiple masses are present and not all are tested then exclude patient)
* Patient has bilateral breast cancer/Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
* Aim 2 Blood
* Controls:
* Patient has known cancer prior to current sample acquisition (not including basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers) (if patient has not been seen or if information is not available, the patient is still eligible)
* Cases:
* Patient has known cancer outside of the target cancer 5 years prior to blood collection (not including basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers)
* Patient has received chemotherapy class drugs in the 5 years prior to blood collection
* Patient has had any prior radiation therapy to the target lesion prior to blood collection
* Patient has had an intervention to completely remove current target pathology
* The current target pathology is a recurrence
* Patient has had a biopsy to the target organ and/or lesion within 3 days before blood collection
* Aim 3 Urine
* Patient has known cancer outside of the target cancer 5 years prior to urine collection (not including basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers)
* Patient has received chemotherapy class drugs in the 5 years prior to urine collection
* Patient has had any prior radiation therapy to the target lesion prior to urine collection
* Patient has had a biopsy to the target organ and/or lesion within 3 days before urine collection
* The current target pathology is a recurrence
* Patient has chronic indwelling urinary catheter
* Patient has had a urinary tract infection within the 14 days prior to sample collection
* If patient does not have a primary bladder, ureter or urethral cancer, patient has a history of bladder ureter, or urethral cancer
* Cases:
* Patient has had an intervention to completely remove current target pathology
* The current target pathology is a recurrence
Where it's running
-
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John B. Kisiel, M.D. — Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
See if virtual informed consent methods help people decide to join cancer research
This trial tests whether virtual human communicators and different consent messages can influence cancer patients’ understanding and willingness to participate in research.
-
AI-powered supportive care chatbot for young adult cancer survivors
A chatbot driven by artificial intelligence is tested to help young adult cancer survivors manage symptoms and care needs after treatment.
-
Telehealth pharmacist-led opioid education for cancer patients
This pilot tests a telehealth group education session led by a palliative care pharmacist to help adults with cancer use opioids more safely and effectively.
-
Mindfulness program to help with symptoms in chronic graft-versus-host disease
A mindfulness-based program is being tested to see if it can reduce patient-reported symptoms for adults with chronic graft-versus-host disease after a stem cell transplant.
-
Non-invasive brain stimulation to help chemotherapy-induced nerve problems in cancer survivors
This trial tests whether a gentle brain stimulation method (tDCS) can help reduce numbness, tingling, and pain from CIPN in cancer survivors who are not currently in treatment.
-
Ambient sensor rooms to spot early problems in hospitalized cancer patients
This test will try whether special hospital rooms with cameras, microphones, and temperature sensors can help staff spot early delirium, falls, sleep problems, or mood changes in adults hospitalized with cancer.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.