Blood tests for leftover colorectal cancer after surgery
Checks blood samples for tumor DNA in adults after colorectal cancer surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: DANISH.MRD: Danish Assessment of Minimal Residual Disease by Liquid Biopsies
Key facts
- Where
- Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Herlev, Herning, Horsens, Odense, Randers, Vejle, and Viborg, DenmarkSee the 10 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
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 colon or rectal cancer who are about to have surgery meant to remove all of the tumor. Blood samples are tested for tumor DNA after surgery.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- Colon or rectal cancer, clinical stage I-III. For the follow-up part: stage III (UICC) and a candidate for chemotherapy after surgery.
- Earlier treatment
- Must be scheduled for surgery meant to remove all of the cancer. For the follow-up part: has had this surgery and is a candidate for chemotherapy after surgery (3- or 6-month plan). Chemotherapy with radiation before surgery is not allowed.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Hereditary colorectal cancer linked to familial polyposis or Lynch syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Distant metastases already confirmed
- Malignant polyps found after polyp removal
- Unlikely to follow the study plan
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Denmark
- Aalborg University HospitalAalborg, DenmarkTaking people
- Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, DenmarkTaking people
- Bispebjerg HospitalCopenhagen, DenmarkTaking people
- Herlev HospitalHerlev, DenmarkNot yet recruiting
- Gødstrup HospitalHerning, DenmarkTaking people
- Regional Hospital HorsensHorsens, DenmarkTaking people
- Odense University HospitalOdense, DenmarkTaking people
- Regional Hospital RandersRanders, DenmarkTaking people
- Vejle HospitalVejle, DenmarkTaking people
- Regional Hospital ViborgViborg, DenmarkTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Aarhus
- Trial code
- NCT06076811
- Record updated
- 4 February 2026
- Original description
Approximately two-thirds of all colorectal cancer patients undergo surgery with the aim of curing them. However, despite the surgery, 20-25% of them experience relapse. It is possible to reduce the risk of relapse with chemotherapy, but as chemotherapy is associated with significant side effects, it is only given to patients at high risk of relapse. Currently, the risk is assessed based on an examination of the removed tumor tissue.Read full original descriptionShow less
Danish Assessment of Minimal Residual Disease by Liquid Biopsies
Approximately two-thirds of all colorectal cancer patients undergo surgery with the aim of curing them. However, despite the surgery, 20-25% of them experience relapse. It is possible to reduce the risk of relapse with chemotherapy, but as chemotherapy is associated with significant side effects, it is only given to patients at high risk of relapse. Currently, the risk is assessed based on an examination of the removed tumor tissue.
In a previous research project, blood samples were taken after patients' surgery and examined for the presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). When cancer cells in solid tumors die, they release DNA, which can be detected in the blood. DNA in the blood has a half-life of less than 2 hours, so if ctDNA is found in a blood sample taken, e.g., 14 days after surgery, the patient most likely still has cancer cells in their body.
The results show that if a patient has ctDNA in their blood after surgery, the risk of relapse is high. The presence of ctDNA in the blood has the potential to be a better indicator of the risk of future relapse than the tumor examination used today. Therefore, ctDNA analysis has the potential to become a marker that will be used in the future clinical setting for monitoring colorectal cancer.
The overall objective of this study is to confirm that ctDNA found in a blood sample after intended curative treatment for CRC is a marker of residual disease and risk of recurrence and is applicable in clinical practice.
Inclusion: Colon or rectal cancer, clinical tumor stage I-III; Patient able to understand and sign written informed consent; Scheduled for curative-intent resectional surgery (including "compromised" curative resections); Participation in DANISH.MRD part I - Surgery; Colorectal cancer, UICC stage III; Has received curative-intent resection and is a candidate for adjuvant chemotherapy (3- or 6-months regime).
Exclusion: Not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy; Treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiation therapy; Hereditary colorectal cancer linked to familial colonic polyposis or Lynch syndrome; Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); Malignant colorectal polyps diagnosed after polypectomy; Synchronous colorectal and non-colorectal cancer diagnosed per operative (except skin cancer other than melanoma); Other cancers (excluding colorectal cancer or skin cancer other than melanoma) within 3 years from eligibility screening; Verified distant metastases; Patients who are unlikely to comply with the protocol (e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for subsequent visits) and/or otherwise considered by the Investigator to be unlikely to complete the study; DANISH.MRD part II - Surveillance; Patients who are unlikely to comply with the protocol (e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for subsequent visits) and/or otherwise considered by the Investigator to be unlikely to complete the study.
DANISH.MRD part I - Surgery.