RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Clinical Utility of ctDNA in Detecting Resistance Mechanisms and Delivering Precision Medicine to Cancer Patients

This study, called 'Marsden360 ctDNA', explores how a special blood test can help manage certain cancers. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is released by cancer cells into the blood. By testing for it, doctors can get useful information about a patient's cancer, like identifying if treatments are still working or finding new options. The study aims to see if using this ctDNA test can improve personalised care within the NHS for people with non-small cell lung, gastrointestinal stromal, colorectal, biliary tract, or ovarian cancer. They will analyse blood samples to see if the test helps doctors make better decisions about treatments or suitable clinical trials, or provides important information not usually available, sometimes even avoiding the need for a biopsy. It could help tailor treatment more precisely to each patient.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

100

Start

23 May 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)Colorectal Cancer Biliary Tract Cancer Ovarian Cancer

What is this study about?

Imagine your body's cells are constantly shedding tiny clues about their health into your bloodstream. Cancer cells do this too, releasing fragments of their DNA, called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). This clever study is investigating how a specific blood test, called the Marsden360 ctDNA test, can use these tiny clues to help doctors understand and treat cancer better.

The idea is that by taking a simple blood sample and looking at this ctDNA, doctors might be able to get a lot of useful information. For example, it could show if a cancer treatment is still working, if the cancer has changed and become resistant to current medications, or even help find the most effective new treatment options or suitable clinical trials tailored just for you. This could potentially lead to more personalised care, meaning treatments are chosen specifically for your cancer, rather than a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

This study specifically focuses on five types of cancer: non-small cell lung cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumours, colorectal cancer, biliary tract cancer, and ovarian cancer. By recruiting 20 patients from each type, researchers hope to show that this ctDNA test can be a valuable tool for the NHS, helping to make treatment decisions more precise and improving care for people living with cancer.

Key takeaways

The study uses a special blood test called Marsden360 ctDNA.
It aims to see if this test can improve personalised cancer care in the NHS.
It's for people with non-small cell lung, GIST, colorectal, biliary tract, or ovarian cancer.
You must be an adult, treated at The Royal Marsden, and your cancer must have progressed on treatment.
The main step is providing a blood sample for analysis.
The test results are reviewed by experts to guide treatment decisions or clinical trial options.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and currently receiving care from the medical oncology team at The Royal Marsden. You must also have advanced or spreading cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.

A key requirement is that your cancer must have continued to grow or get worse despite you already receiving anti-cancer treatment. This has to have happened within the last six weeks before you would join the study.

Additionally, depending on your specific cancer type (non-small cell lung, gastrointestinal stromal, colorectal, biliary tract, or ovarian cancer), there are other detailed medical conditions that your doctor will check to see if you are a good fit for this study. Patients who are generally unwell and can't commit to the study procedures, or have a very low performance status score (meaning they need a lot of help with daily activities), will not be able to participate.

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.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently being treated for cancer at The Royal Marsden Hospital?
Has your cancer continued to grow or get worse despite receiving anti-cancer treatment in the last 6 weeks?
Do you have advanced or metastatic (spreading) cancer that cannot be removed by surgery?
Are you feeling well enough to participate in the study procedures (mainly providing a blood sample)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the main thing you'll need to do is provide a blood sample. This sample will be analysed using the special Marsden360 ctDNA test. The results of this test will then be carefully reviewed by a team of experts at The Royal Marsden, called the Genomic Tissue Advisory Board (GTAB).

The GTAB will look at your individual results to see if the ctDNA test helped them understand your cancer better and make more personalised treatment suggestions. They'll consider if the test helped find a suitable treatment already available, identified a UK-based clinical trial that might be right for you, gave more information about your cancer that wasn't available from standard tests, or even meant you didn't need to have a tissue biopsy. The study will not involve new medications or extra hospital visits beyond your usual care; it’s focused on the information from one blood test.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the potential benefit of helping doctors understand your cancer better, which could lead to more personalised treatment options or identification of suitable clinical trials. However, it's important to know that this is a research study, and there's no guarantee the ctDNA test will directly change your personal treatment plan or improve your health. The main risk involved is the slight discomfort and small chance of bruising from having a blood sample taken. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is ctDNA?

ctDNA stands for circulating tumour DNA. It's tiny pieces of DNA released by cancer cells into your bloodstream.

What is the Marsden360 ctDNA test?

It's a special blood test developed at The Royal Marsden to find and analyse those ctDNA fragments in your blood.

Will this test change my treatment immediately?

This study aims to see if the test *can* help make better treatment decisions, but it doesn't guarantee an immediate change to your personal treatment plan.

Who is the Genomic Tissue Advisory Board (GTAB)?

They are a team of expert doctors and scientists at The Royal Marsden who review the ctDNA test results to see how they might help your care.

Do I have to pay to join this study?

No, if you meet the criteria and choose to participate, all aspects of the study as outlined will be covered.

How to find out more

Rebecca Brooks

rebecca.brooks@rmh.nhs.uk +44 208 642 6011 Official trial record

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