Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Advancing Risk Stratification in Endometrial Cancer

Italy400 participantsStarted 2026-07-23

Plain-language summary

The DaPHNE study is an observational, ambispective, multicenter study designed to evaluate whether the integration of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and plasma proteomic profiling with the 2023 FIGO staging system improves prognostic stratification in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) treated with curative-intent surgery. The study will compare the prognostic performance of the standard FIGO 2023 staging system with an enhanced longitudinal staging approach (L-FIGO 2023) incorporating preoperative (T0) and postoperative (T1, 4-6 weeks after surgery) liquid biopsy data, and will explore a dynamic model (Δ-FIGO) based on changes between these time points. The study consists of two phases: (1) a retrospective cohort including approximately 300 patients with stored plasma samples and clinical data, and (2) a prospective cohort of 100 newly enrolled patients from participating centers. Plasma samples will undergo ctDNA sequencing, methylation analysis, and proteomic profiling using next-generation sequencing and Olink technologies. Molecular findings will be integrated with clinicopathological and survival data to identify biomarkers associated with minimal residual disease, recurrence, and progression-free survival, validate multimodal prognostic models across institutions, assess concordance between circulating and tissue biomarkers, and identify molecular pathways relevant for personalized treatment strategies. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

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

. Women aged 18 or older
. Has a histologically confirmed new diagnosis of EC, regardless of histologic subtype or grade;
. EC staged according to the 2023 FIGO classification, with complete molecular assessment;
. Eligible for curative-intent debulking surgery with no residual disease at the end of surgery;
. No history of other malignancies within the preceding 3 years, except for curatively treated cervical carcinoma in situ, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, or ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast;
. For patients included in the prospective cohort, written informed consent will be obtained, whereas for those included in the retrospective cohort, reference will be made to Article 110-bis of the Italian Privacy Code

Exclusion criteria

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

Progression-free survival (PFS)

Timeframe: Up to 36 months after surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07746024

SponsorFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2027-08-01

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