SMYD3-Driven Metabolic Rewiring in Colorectal Liver Metastases
156 participantsStarted 2026-05-10
Plain-language summary
This study focuses on patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery for the primary tumor and/or liver metastases. Tumor samples collected during surgery will be used to generate patient-derived models (primary cultures, spheroids, and organoids) to study colorectal cancer stem cells. The main objective is to investigate the role of the lysine methyltransferase SMYD3 in metabolic reprogramming and adaptation to oxidative stress that enable colorectal cancer cells to survive and grow in the liver. Previous work has shown that SMYD3 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer, promotes drug resistance, and regulates key oncogenic pathways, including c-MYC and the AMPK/mTOR axis. By identifying SMYD3-dependent pathways and pharmacologic vulnerabilities in cancer stem cells within liver metastases, this study aims to support the development of new therapeutic strategies that combine SMYD3 inhibitors with approved or experimental agents targeting tumor metabolism and oxidative stress responses
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Common criteria
* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Availability of residual tumor tissue from the surgical procedure that is not required for diagnostic purposes.
* Signed written informed consent for the use of biological samples for research purposes.
Cohort/Arm 1 (Colon-rectal tumor resection)
\- Patients undergoing surgical resection of colorectal cancer.
Cohort/Arm 2 (Primary tumor and liver metastases resection) - Patients undergoing surgical resection of the primary colorectal tumor and liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma.
Cohort/Arm 3 (Liver metastases resection only)
\- Patients undergoing surgical resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma previously resected at the primary site.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age \< 18 years.
* Undergoing surgical intervention for a malignancy other than those specified in the inclusion criteria.
* Lack of signed informed consent
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Molecular and Cellular mechanisms
Timeframe: At the time of the surgery
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07497789
SponsorAzienda Ospedaliera Specializzata in Gastroenterologia Saverio de Bellis