COMPASS version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational cohort study investigating the role of regular community-based blood sample collection to monitor for disease recurrence in patients after lung cancer surgery.
IRAS ID
263948
Contact name
Phil Crosbie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 3 days
Research summary
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death. Early diagnosis and surgery to remove the tumour gives patients the best chance of cure. However even after a successful operation there is a significant risk that the cancer will return (about 4 in 10 patients after surgery) and in the majority of cases the cancer is then incurable. This risk is the highest within 2 years of surgery. The reason cancer returns is the presence of 'minimal residual disease' (known as MRD) at the time of surgery. MRD describes the presence of cancer within the body that is undetected by clinical assessment or tests such as scans. These 'invisible' deposits of cancer then grow to become secondary cancers which in the majority of cases cause patient death.
This study will investigate whether we can detect MRD by looking at blood using a number of different ways e.g. looking directly for cancer cells, cancer DNA or abnormal proteins. This might allow us to tell who is at risk of disease coming back much earlier than we can currently but also provide reassurance to those whose test is negative. We want the blood tests to be as convenient for patients as possible and will therefore explore the feasibility of community-based blood samples taken in local pharmacies. The study will explore how people feel after lung cancer surgery to assess quality of life and worries. Will compare answers to questions about quality of life in patients diagnosed through a screening programme and those diagnosed outside of screening.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0566
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion