Developing a blood marker to monitor womb cancer

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The use of circulating tumour DNA to monitor the activity of womb cancer and predict response to treatment and disease recurrence.

  • IRAS ID

    221907

  • Contact name

    Esther Moss

  • Contact email

    em321@le.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University Hospitals of Leicester

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    4 years, 2 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    This study aims to investigate whether circulating DNA (cDNA) from womb cancer cells can be used to predict response to treatment and cancer recurrence. Women who have been diagnosed with a high-risk womb cancer or have had a recurrence of their womb cancer and are under active follow up by the oncology team at the University Hospitals of Leicester will be recruited. Information will be recorded on their tumour type, stage at diagnosis, co-morbidities, oncological treatment and current medications. Biopsies taken at their original surgery and any biopsies taken at diagnosis of their cancer recurrence will be analysed to identify if any key genetic mutations are present. A blood sample will be taken from the patient to try and identify ctDNA from the womb cancer cells that may be present in the blood. The presence of any of the genetic mutations seen in the womb cancer biopsies and the acquisition of new mutations in the ctDNA will be compared with the clinical behaviour of the cancer to see whether it is able to indentify response to treatment or disease relapse. Serial blood samples will be taken at the patient’s follow up clinic visits in order to see whether ctDNA can monitor tumour activity.
    Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with a cross-section of the participants to explore their views on using a blood test to follow up of womb cancer.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 7

  • REC reference

    17/WA/0342

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Oct 2017

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion