RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

SPECTA: Screening Cancer Patients for Efficient Clinical Trial Access

The SPECTA study is a big project collecting important health information and samples from people with all types of cancer. This includes things like tissue samples from their cancer, scans, survey answers, and notes from their doctors. The main goal is to create a detailed collection of information that scientists can use to learn more about how cancer develops and behaves. By doing this, researchers hope to discover new ways to diagnose cancer earlier, predict how it might respond to treatment, and ultimately find better treatments for patients in the future. It’s like gathering clues to solve a very complex puzzle about cancer.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC

Enrolment target

4,975

Start

03 May 2017

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2031

All Tumor Types

What is this study about?

The SPECTA study is like a large, organised library for information about cancer. It's designed to carefully collect and store many different kinds of details from people living with various types of cancer. This includes things such as small pieces of their cancer tissue, pictures from their scans, details about their environment, and even how they feel about their health and treatment through questionnaires. All of this information is brought together in a secure way.

The main aim of this 'library' is to help scientists and doctors better understand cancer. By looking at all these different pieces of information – from the tiny details in a cell to how a person's body reacts to cancer – researchers hope to find new patterns and clues. This can help them learn why some cancers grow differently, why some treatments work better for certain people, and even discover new ways to spot cancer earlier.

Ultimately, the SPECTA project is about making progress in cancer care. By uncovering these new insights into cancer, the hope is to develop more effective and personalised treatments, leading to better outcomes and a higher quality of life for cancer patients in the future. Your involvement could help advance this important research.

Key takeaways

SPECTRA is a research project collecting information and samples from cancer patients.
The goal is to better understand cancer and find new ways to diagnose and treat it.
It includes people with all types of cancer, aged 12 and over.
Participation involves sharing medical information and existing tissue samples.
There are no new treatments or extra procedures specifically for this study.
Your involvement could help future cancer patients, with no direct personal benefit.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of the SPECTA study, you would generally need to have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer. The medical team would need to make sure that suitable samples of your cancer tissue are available for analysis – this is very important for the research.

You would also need to be at least 12 years old. Importantly, the research team wants to make sure that taking part in the study would not cause you any significant problems in your daily life, and that you would be able to attend any necessary appointments or complete questionnaires without difficulty.

Finally, you would need to understand what the study involves and agree to take part by signing a consent form. This ensures you are happy and comfortable with being involved.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer?
Am I 12 years old or older?
Are there samples of my cancer tissue available for scientists to study?
Am I able to understand what the study involves and provide my agreement (consent)?
Would taking part in research, like filling out surveys, fit into my current life without causing difficulties?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the SPECTA study, it primarily involves allowing researchers to collect various pieces of information and samples that are already part of your usual cancer care. This might include tissue samples taken during a biopsy or surgery, medical scans (like X-rays or MRI), and details from your medical records. You might also be asked to complete some questionnaires about your health and how you are feeling. There are no additional medications or treatments given as part of this specific study. The information and samples are collected over time as part of your ongoing treatment. The exact duration of your involvement isn't specified, but it's usually for as long as needed to gather the relevant information for the research projects. You'll be given more details about what is expected if you are considering joining.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in SPECTA is generally considered low-risk, as it mainly involves collecting information and samples that are already part of your standard medical care, meaning you wouldn’t have extra procedures just for the study. The main benefit is knowing that your personal information and samples, which are made anonymous, could contribute to developing new ways to understand and treat cancer for future patients. However, there's no direct personal benefit to you from being involved in this study; it's purely for research. Remember, you can choose to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (134)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
Verified postcode
Vienna, Austria· Recruiting
Onze Lieve Vrouw Ziekenhuis
Verified postcode
Aalst, Belgium· Recruiting
ZAS Middelheim
Verified postcode
Antwerp, Belgium· Recruiting
Hopitaux Universitaires - Institut Jules Bordet
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium· Recruiting
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium· Recruiting
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium· Recruiting
Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent
Verified postcode
Ghent, Belgium· Recruiting
Pole Hospitalier Jolimont - Hopital Jolimont
Verified postcode
Haine-Saint-Paul, Belgium· Recruiting
U.Z. Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Verified postcode
Leuven, Belgium· Recruiting
C.H.U. Sart-Tilman
Verified postcode
Liège, Belgium· Recruiting
Centre Hospitalier Regional De La Citadelle
Verified postcode
Liège, Belgium· Recruiting
CHU Site Sainte-Elisabeth-UCL Namur
Verified postcode
Namur, Belgium· Recruiting

Common questions

What specific cancers are included?

This study is open to patients with 'all tumor types', meaning it includes most, if not all, types of cancer, not just a specific one.

Will I receive any new treatment as part of this study?

No, this study does not involve giving new treatments or medications. It's focused on collecting information and samples to help researchers.

How will my personal information be kept private?

All information collected will be handled confidentially and usually made anonymous, meaning your name and direct identifiers will be removed to protect your privacy.

Will I have extra doctor's appointments if I join?

Generally, no. The study aims to collect information that's already part of your routine medical care, so it shouldn't add extra appointments.

Can I change my mind after I join the study?

Yes, you are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

EORTC HQ

specta@eortc.org +32 2 774 1611 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.