Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Colorectal Cancer Patients With Isolated Liver Metastases to Understand Response & Resistance to Cancer Therapy

This study is for people with bowel cancer that has spread only to their liver. Doctors want to understand why some treatments work well for some patients and less well for others. They are also looking for ways to predict how the cancer might return after surgery and to find new targets for future treatments. By carefully studying tissue samples from your original cancer and the liver spread, and sometimes new samples if the cancer comes back after surgery, they hope to learn more about the cancer's genetic makeup and discover better ways to treat it for people in similar situations. This could lead to more personalised and effective care in the future.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Enrolment target

Start

29 Aug 2017

Estimated completion

29 Jun 2026

Colorectal Cancer Colorectal Cancer Metastatic Hepatic Metastases

What is this study about?

When bowel cancer spreads, it often goes to the liver first. This study, called 'COMPARISON', wants to learn more about why this happens and what makes some people respond better to treatment than others. Its main goal is to understand the changes within the cancer cells (their genetic information) to help doctors predict how the cancer might act in the future, and to find new ways to treat it.

To do this, researchers will look at samples of your cancer. This includes tissue from your original bowel cancer and from the cancer spread in your liver, which will be collected when you have surgery. You'll have already received some chemotherapy treatment before this surgery. If, unfortunately, the cancer comes back after your liver surgery, doctors might take more small samples to see how the cancer has changed.

By carefully examining these samples, doctors hope to find clues about why certain chemotherapy treatments stop working and to identify specific features of the cancer that new medicines could target. Sharing your information and samples could help doctors develop more effective treatments and better predict the journey for other people with bowel cancer that has spread only to the liver.

Key takeaways

It's about bowel cancer that has only spread to the liver.
The study aims to understand why some treatments work better than others and find new ways to predict cancer behaviour.
It uses tissue samples collected during your standard medical care.
Participation will not change your cancer treatment.
Your involvement could help improve future treatments for others.
You must be 18 or older and have had certain chemotherapy before your planned liver surgery.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to have bowel cancer that has only spread to your liver, and your doctors must be planning surgery to remove the cancer from your liver. You also need to have had at least three rounds of specific chemotherapy treatments before this surgery. If you've already had your original bowel cancer removed, the study team will need to be able to get a sample of that cancer tissue to examine. You must be 18 years old or older and be able to understand and sign a consent form, showing you agree to take part.

You would not be able to join if your liver cancer spread is too complex to remove with surgery, or if there's any sign the cancer has spread to other parts of your body besides the liver. Other reasons for not being able to join include having serious other health conditions that would make the liver surgery very risky, or if doctors think it wouldn't be safe for you to take part for other reasons. Finally, if you've had another type of cancer treated within the last five years (unless it was a common skin cancer or a very early-stage cancer), you wouldn't be eligible.

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 bowel cancer that has only spread to my liver?
Am I planned to have surgery to remove the cancer from my liver?
Have I had at least three cycles of specific chemotherapy treatments before my liver surgery?
Am I 18 years old or older?
Do I have any other serious medical conditions that would make liver surgery very risky?
Has my cancer spread to any other parts of my body besides the liver?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study primarily involves collecting and analysing samples that are already being taken as part of your standard care. This includes samples from your original bowel cancer (if available) and the cancer spread in your liver during your planned surgery. You will have already received chemotherapy before this surgery. If, in the future, your cancer sadly returns after the liver surgery, and your doctors decide it's medically appropriate, you might be asked to provide additional small samples through a biopsy. There are no additional hospital visits or changes to your medication for this specific study, beyond what your medical team already plans for your treatment. The study mainly involves researchers examining these tissue samples over time to understand your cancer better. The total duration of your participation would follow your treatment journey, with researchers continuing to analyse samples as they become available.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't change your medical treatment. The main benefit is knowing that your tissue samples could help doctors learn more about bowel cancer that spreads to the liver. This could lead to better ways to predict how cancer might behave and more effective treatments for others in the future. The risks directly related to this study are minimal, as it mainly involves using samples already collected during your standard care, or if new samples are taken it would only be if medically necessary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Vancouver Regional Cancer Centre
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What is 'isolated liver metastases'?

This means your bowel cancer has only spread to your liver and hasn't been found in any other parts of your body.

Will this study change my cancer treatment?

No, this study will not change the treatment plan your doctors have for you. It's about collecting information from your treatment journey, not altering it.

What kind of samples will be needed?

Researchers will use samples of your original bowel cancer (if available) and the cancer that has spread to your liver, which will be collected during your planned surgery. If your cancer comes back after surgery, and your doctors think it's necessary, you might be asked for more samples then.

Will I get my results from the study?

The study aims to gather overall information to help future patients. Individual results are generally not given to participants, but the overall findings may be shared with the medical community.

Is there a cost to participate?

No, there are no costs to you for taking part in this study.

How to find out more

Official trial record

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