Significance of disseminated cancer cells in oesophagogastric cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does the presence of bone marrow or circulating tumour cells predict early tumour recurrence in patients with oesophagogastric cancer?
IRAS ID
185350
Contact name
Shajahan Wahed
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
BH110457,
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Oesophageal and gastric carcinomas are associated with poor long term survival; overall 5 year survival is 15% and 18%, respectively.
The clinical challenge is to identify patients who are at high risk of recurrence prior to surgery and develop treatment strategies to prolong long term survival. Presence of tumour cells in bone marrow at the time of surgery have been shown to be associated with poor long term survival in patients with breast, colorectal and lung cancer.
We hypothesise that information about prevalence and the mechanism of spread of cancer cells to the bone marrow, lymph nodes and blood in oesophagogastric cancer can help us predict the course of the cancer and enable more accurate staging of the cancer. Thus patients at risk of early recurrence can obtain treatment prior to surgery and improve long term survival. Alternatively, decision may be taken to avoid surgery.
We propose to conduct a prospective study of patients undergoing treatment for oesophagogastric cancer at a single hospital. The bone marrow from the rib that is excised as part of oesophagectomy will be analysed, along with the blood samples and exudates taken from the patients. These samples will be analysed in conjunction with the oesophagogastric cancer specimen and the lymph nodes, which are excised as part of the operation. Bloods samples will be taken from patients undergoing curative and palliative treatment for oesophagogastric cancer. We will use specific biomarkers to detect and provide information about oesophagogastric cancer cells, and to identify their prevalence in the various tissue samples. Patients being treated with palliative intent will be recruited for comparison.
Analysis of this information in conjunction with current staging critera will allow us to improve our understanding of the spread of oesophagogastric cancer. With better understanding, we can develop treatment strategies to combat early recurrence and improve long term survival.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0241
Date of REC Opinion
30 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion