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Compares two lengths of liver MRI scan in colon cancer spread to liver

Compares full and shortened gadoxetate liver MRI scans in adults with colon cancer.

Key facts

Who runs it
London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
Where
London, CanadaSee the 2 sites
Trial code
Registry title
Gadoxetate Abbreviated MRI in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
200 people, planned
Started
1 Jul 2022
Expected to end
1 Oct 2027
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Full Gadoxetate-enhanced liver MRI
  • Shortened Gadoxetate-enhanced liver MRI
Record updated
11 July 2025

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with biopsy-proven colorectal cancer whose earlier scans showed liver spots that may be cancer spread. It compares a full and a shortened Gadoxetate liver MRI.

Age
18 years or older
Sex
Men and women can join
Disease stage
Biopsy-proven colorectal cancer with liver lesions on earlier imaging that may be metastases

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Implanted medical device or metal object that is not safe for MRI
  • Baseline eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2
  • Severe claustrophobia not relieved by oral anxiolytics
  • Severe allergic-like reaction to a gadolinium-based contrast agent
  • Pregnancy

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 14 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Male or female, 18 years of age or older
  • Diagnosis of colorectal cancer, biopsy proven
  • Prior imaging showing liver lesions that may be metastases
  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  • Willingness to comply with study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  • Able to tolerate MRI required by protocol

Who cannot take part

  • Documented severe allergic-like reaction gadolinium-based contrast agent
  • Baseline eGFR of < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2
  • Presence of implanted medical device or metallic object that is MR incompatible
  • Severe claustrophobia not relieved by oral anxiolytics
  • Weight greater than allowable on MRI table
  • Pregnancy
  • Diffuse liver metastases, i.e. definitively unresectable
  • Severe liver dysfunction, ALBI grade 3

Where in Canada

  • London Health Sciences CentreLondon, CanadaContact: Harry Marshall, MD/PhDTaking people
  • St. Joseph's HealthcareLondon, CanadaContact: Zahra Kassam, MDTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

After a patient is diagnosed with colon cancer, they receive a CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to see if the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. A common site for the cancer to spread to is the liver. If an abnormality is seen in the liver on CT, sometimes an MRI of the liver is required to determine a) whether it is cancer or not and b) whether there are small tumours in the liver that were not visible on CT.

Read full original descriptionShow less

During the MRI, the patient is injected with intravenous (IV) contrast. This makes liver lesions more conspicuous and also helps determine if they are cancerous or not. The most commonly used IV contrast agent is called Gadovist. However, there is another IV contrast agent called Primovist that is better at detecting liver metastases from colon cancer than Gadovist. This is very important information for surgeons, because if they considering cutting out (resecting) the liver tumours, they want to make sure they get them all.

Unfortunately, Primovist is used sparingly in Canadian hospitals because it is more expensive than Gadovist and the MRI takes longer. Some early small studies have suggested that it may be possible to shorten the Primovist MRI significantly (e.g. from 60 minutes to 15 minutes), making it economically feasible to offer Primovist to more patients. However, there have not been any large studies performed to confirm these findings.

The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of colon cancer liver metastasis detection between a regular, full-length Primovist MRI versus a shortened Primovist MRI protocol. The economic impact will also be assessed.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Full ProtocolExisting treatment, for comparison

    Routine Primovist MRI

    Treatment: Full Gadoxetate-enhanced liver MRI

  • Abbreviated ProtocolTreatment being tested

    Shortened Primovist MRI

    Treatment: Shortened Gadoxetate-enhanced liver MRI

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
A Prospective Study Evaluating Diagnostic Accuracy, Outcome, and Economic Impact of Abbreviated Gadoxetate-enhanced MRI of the Liver in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma
Plain-language title
Compares two lengths of liver MRI scan in colon cancer spread to liverGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
11 July 2025