RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The CCANED-CIPHER Study: Early Cancer Detection and Treatment Response Monitoring Using AI-Based Platelet and Immune Cell Transcriptomic Profiling

The CCANED-CIPHER study aims to create clever new blood tests to find cancers earlier and see how effective treatments are. Researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse tiny bits of genetic information (RNA) from platelets and immune cells in blood samples. They will compare samples from thousands of people with different types of cancer, such as breast, lung, and prostate cancer, with samples from healthy individuals. This two-part study hopes to develop safe, easy-to-use tests that can spot cancer when it's just starting and help doctors understand if treatments are working properly, ultimately leading to better care for patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Javier Toledo

Enrolment target

6,000

Start

20 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2028

Brest Cancer Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Pancreatic Cancer, Adult Prostate Cancers Ovarian Cancer Colorectal Cancer Glioblastoma (GBM)Liver Carcinoma

What is this study about?

Imagine a blood test that could spot cancer much earlier than current methods, or tell doctors quickly if a treatment is working. That's what the CCANED-CIPHER study is trying to achieve. It's a research project looking into new ways to find cancer early and monitor how patients respond to their cancer treatments, all using a simple blood sample.

The study involves using sophisticated computer programs, known as artificial intelligence (AI), to examine tiny chemical messengers called RNA that are found in your blood platelets and immune cells. By looking at these messengers, researchers hope to find specific patterns that indicate the presence of cancer, even when it's very small. This approach is called a 'liquid biopsy' because it's a non-invasive way to get information about cancer without needing a traditional biopsy.

There are two main parts to the study. The first part focuses on early cancer detection. Researchers are collecting blood samples from people with common cancers like breast, lung, and prostate cancer, as well as from healthy volunteers. By comparing these samples, they aim to train the AI to identify signatures specific to cancer. The second part of the study focuses on monitoring treatment. For this, blood samples are taken from people with liver or non-small cell lung cancer before, during, and after their treatment. This helps researchers understand if the changes in these RNA patterns can show how well a treatment is working and if the cancer might be returning.

Key takeaways

New blood tests for early cancer detection and treatment monitoring.
Uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse blood samples.
Aims to be a safe, non-invasive method for future cancer care.
Involves carefully comparing samples from cancer patients and healthy volunteers.
Participation includes blood tests, either a single time or over 6 months.
Your involvement could help improve future cancer diagnosis and treatment for others.

Who may be eligible?

The study is looking for adults aged 40 or older. To be part of the first phase, which focuses on early cancer detection, you would need to have been diagnosed with certain common cancers such as breast, lung, prostate, bowel, ovarian, pancreatic, or a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme. Healthy volunteers who don't have cancer are also needed for this phase.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, have an active infection, or have taken certain blood-thinning medications in the last two weeks, you wouldn't be able to participate in the first phase. Also, any health issue that would make it difficult for you to follow the study's procedures might exclude you.

For the second phase, which looks at treatment monitoring, you must be 40 or older and have been diagnosed with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) or non-small cell lung cancer. If you have had another cancer in the last five years, or have other serious health conditions that could interfere with the study, you might not be able to take part.

Quick self-check

Are you 40 years old or older?
Do you have one of the listed cancers (such as breast, lung, prostate, bowel, ovarian, pancreatic, glioblastoma, or liver cancer)?
Are you NOT currently pregnant?
Have you NOT had an active infection recently?
Have you NOT taken blood-thinning medicines in the last two weeks (for Phase 1)?
If you have liver or non-small cell lung cancer, are you willing to provide samples before and during treatment (for Phase 2)?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, what you'll need to do depends on which part you are involved in. If you are part of the early cancer detection phase, you will have a single visit where a blood sample will be taken. This is a one-off assessment. If you are part of the treatment monitoring phase, you will need to provide blood samples at three different times: once before you start your cancer treatment, then again around 6 weeks after you've started treatment, and finally 6 months after starting treatment. The study does not involve taking any new medications, only collecting blood samples. The total duration of your participation would be up to 6 months for the treatment monitoring group, and a single visit for the early detection group.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer several potential benefits. While you won't directly receive a diagnosis or treatment monitoring results from the study, your contribution could help researchers develop new, less invasive ways to find cancer earlier and check treatment effectiveness for future patients. This could lead to better outcomes for many. The main risk involved is the slight discomfort, bruising, or a small risk of infection from having blood samples taken, which is generally a very safe procedure. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

Various Cancer Centres
Rosario, Argentina· Active not recruiting
NSIA- Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre
Lagos, Nigeria· Recruiting
Babraham Research Institute
Cambridge, United Kingdom· Enrolling by invitation
Dysplasia Diagnostics Limited
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is AI and how is it used in this study?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) refers to computer programs that can learn from data. In this study, AI will analyse patterns in your blood samples to identify signs of cancer or how well treatment is working.

Will I get results from my blood test?

No, you will not receive individual results from the blood tests taken for this study. The samples are used for research purposes to develop new tests for the future.

Is a 'liquid biopsy' painful?

No, a liquid biopsy in this study means drawing a blood sample, similar to a routine blood test. It involves minimal discomfort, usually just a prick in your arm.

What is the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the study?

Phase 1 is focused on finding new ways to detect cancer early in people newly diagnosed with cancer and healthy volunteers. Phase 2 aims to monitor how existing cancer treatments are working in patients with specific types of cancer.

Can I stop participating in the study at any time?

Yes, you are free to withdraw from the study at any point, and choosing to do so will not affect your routine medical care.

How to find out more

Javier Toledo, Medical Degree

research@dysplasiadx.com +44 (0)1223 496000 Official trial record

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