Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

A Biomarker Exploration Study for Predicting Localization of Recurrence and Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer (PROBE Study)

586 participantsStarted 2026-06-29

Plain-language summary

With high incidence and mortality rate, the effective therapeutic options of colorectal cancer remain limited. Up to 50% of patients with colorectal cancer will develop metastatic disease. Recurrent lesions can be diagnosed and characterized only when tumors have reached a certain volume by present radiologic imaging techniques such as CT and MRI. The exploration of differentiated clinical applications specifically for local recurrence versus distant metastasis remains an unmet need. The aim of this study is to explore methylation, fragmentomic, and cfRNA markers associated with local recurrence and distant metastasis of colorectal cancer by multi-omics approaches. By constructing a predictive model for the localization of post-treatment recurrence and metastasis, this study will compare the accuracy of different technical approaches in predicting the localization of recurrence and metastasis after colorectal cancer treatment.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 100 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: * Age ≥ 18 years, male or female. * Patients with the following tumor types: primary colorectal cancer, locally recurrent colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer liver metastasis, colorectal cancer lung metastasis, colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis, colorectal cancer bone metastasis, colorectal cancer multi-organ metastasis, primary liver cancer, primary lung cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, primary bone tumor. * No prior surgery or anti-tumor treatment at the time of enrollment assessment. * Subjects voluntarily participate in this study and sign the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous history of malignant tumors other than those within the inclusion criteria. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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

Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) of the prediction models based on methylation, fragmentomics, and cfRNA data for local recurrence and distant metastasis localization in colorectal cancer

Timeframe: At baseline (at the time of study enrollment, prior to any surgical or anti-tumor treatment)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07685236

SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2027-06-28

Contact for this trial

Yanhong Gu, PhD

+025-68307881 YanhongGu@njmu.edu.cn

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (CRC) trials