Blood tests for tumor markers in colon cancer treated before surgery
Studies blood markers in adults with colon cancer receiving treatment before surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: ctDNA and TEP Levels in Colon Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Ljubljana, SloveniaSee the site
Where in Slovenia
- Institute of Oncology LjubljanaLjubljana, SloveniaNo longer taking part
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
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
- Trial code
- NCT07701408
- Record updated
- 7 October 2026
- Original description
This interventional cohort study will evaluate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and tumor-educated platelets (TEP) as blood-based biomarkers in adults with stage III colon cancer who are planned to receive neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by surgical resection.Read full original descriptionShow less
Determination of ctDNA and TEP Levels in Patients With Colon Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy
This interventional cohort study will evaluate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and tumor-educated platelets (TEP) as blood-based biomarkers in adults with stage III colon cancer who are planned to receive neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by surgical resection.
Treatment will be given according to routine clinical practice and will depend on the biological characteristics of the tumor, including mismatch repair status. Participants will provide additional blood samples at predefined time points before, during, and after treatment and surgery. These samples will be used to analyze ctDNA and TEP and to assess whether changes in these biomarkers are associated with radiological response, pathological response, and disease-free outcomes.
Approximately 80 participants will be enrolled at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana. Participants will not receive experimental drugs as part of this study.
Inclusion: Age 18 years or older at the time of enrollment; Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon; Stage III colon cancer, defined according to the applicable TNM classification based on clinical and imaging assessment; Confirmed mismatch repair (MMR) status, determined by immunohistochemistry and/or molecular methods; Planned neoadjuvant systemic therapy according to MMR status, followed by surgical resection with curative intent; ECOG performance status 0-2; Ability to understand the study and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion: Concurrent active malignant disease, except adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ; Stage I, II, or IV colon cancer; Severe comorbidities or medical conditions that prevent or substantially limit neoadjuvant systemic therapy or surgical resection; Known autoimmune disease requiring active immunosuppressive treatment in patients with dMMR tumors; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent.