RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Pre-Clinical Validation of ChemoINTEL Unified Algorithm Chemotherapeutic Response Prediction in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

This study, called ChemoINTEL, is testing a new laboratory method to predict how effective chemotherapy might be for people with bowel cancer. Researchers will take tumour samples from patients who are having surgery or biopsies for their bowel cancer. These samples will be sent to a special lab in Liverpool where the ChemoINTEL test will examine the cancer cells' reaction to different chemotherapy drugs. The aim is to see if this test can accurately show which treatments are more likely to work. This information is for research only and will not be used to guide a patient's treatment in this study. It's hoped that in the future, this test could help doctors choose more personalised and effective treatments for bowel cancer patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Pierian Biosciences

Enrolment target

100

Start

21 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2030

Colorectal Cancer

What is this study about?

This research study is focused on a new lab test called ChemoINTEL. The main goal is to find out if this test can accurately predict how well chemotherapy drugs will work for individual people diagnosed with bowel (colorectal) cancer. Researchers believe that by studying a patient's cancer cells in the lab, they might be able to tell which chemotherapy drugs are most likely to be effective for that specific person. This is an important step towards making cancer treatments more tailored and personal.

To do this, the study will collect samples of tumour tissue from people undergoing treatment for bowel cancer. These samples will be sent to a specialist lab in Liverpool. The lab will then use the ChemoINTEL test to see how the cancer cells react to various chemotherapy drugs. It's important to know that the results from this test will not be shared with patients or their doctors during this study; they are purely for research purposes. This means your treatment decisions will be made by your medical team as usual, based on current standard practices.

The study involves different groups of people with bowel cancer, including those who are about to start chemotherapy after surgery, those with certain types of early-stage cancer who might be at risk of it coming back, and those with more advanced rectal cancer who have responded well to initial treatment. By looking at these different groups, researchers hope to get a full picture of how well the ChemoINTEL test works across various stages of bowel cancer.

Key takeaways

This study tests a new lab method (ChemoINTEL) for bowel cancer.
It aims to predict how well chemotherapy might work for individuals.
Participation involves providing existing tissue and an optional blood sample.
Study results will not directly affect your current treatment decisions.
It contributes to future research for personalised cancer care.
All your personal information will be kept confidential.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you would generally need to be at least 18 years old and have a diagnosis of bowel (colorectal) cancer. This includes people who have had surgery for their cancer and are planned to have chemotherapy afterwards, or those who have had a biopsy and are about to start treatment. You must also be expected to receive at least six cycles of standard chemotherapy, using specific drugs that the study is interested in.

Your medical team will need to be able to provide at least one, and ideally two, fresh samples of your tumour tissue. This typically comes from your surgery or biopsy. They will also need a small sample of healthy tissue next to the tumour. You will also need to sign a consent form, showing you understand and agree to take part.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have another type of cancer that isn't bowel cancer, or if your medical team doesn't plan for you to have the specific chemotherapy drugs the study is looking at. Also, if there aren't enough healthy cancer cells in your sample for the lab to do their tests, you wouldn't be able to take part.

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?
Do you have a diagnosis of bowel (colorectal) cancer?
Are you having surgery or a biopsy for your cancer?
Are you planning to receive at least 6 cycles of standard chemotherapy?
Can your medical team provide a fresh tumour sample?
Are you able to sign a consent form to participate?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your involvement will be quite straightforward. The main part of your participation revolves around providing tissue samples. When you have surgery or a biopsy for your bowel cancer, a small piece of your tumour, and a tiny bit of the healthy tissue next to it, will be collected. Your medical team will also ask for an optional small blood sample, usually around 10-20ml (about 2-4 teaspoons).

These samples will then be sent to the specialist lab in Liverpool for the ChemoINTEL test. You won't need to visit the lab yourself. The lab staff will carry out the tests, and they won't know any of your personal details, only the type of cancer (bowel or rectal) and when the sample was collected. The results of these lab tests will not be given to you or your doctors, as this is a research study to validate the test, not to guide your current treatment. Your medical care and follow-up will continue as normal with your regular healthcare team.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part in this study is that you would be contributing to scientific research that could, in the future, help improve how bowel cancer is treated. While the results from your specific samples won't directly change your treatment in this study, the knowledge gained could lead to more personalised and effective treatments for others. As for risks, the procedures for collecting tissue and blood samples are standard parts of your existing care, so there are no new medical risks introduced by the study itself. There is also the peace of mind that your data and samples will be handled with strict confidentiality. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the ChemoINTEL test?

It's a new lab test that looks at your bowel cancer cells to see how they react to different chemotherapy drugs. The aim is to predict which drugs might work best for you.

Will this study change my cancer treatment?

No, not in this study. The results of the ChemoINTEL test are for research only and will not be used to guide your treatment decisions now. Your doctors will continue to treat you based on standard care.

What do I need to do if I join the study?

Mainly, you'd be providing tissue samples (from your surgery or biopsy) and an optional blood sample. You won't need extra visits or new treatments because of the study.

Is my personal information kept private?

Yes, absolutely. Your samples and any information will be handled confidentially. The lab testing your samples won't know your personal details.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any point, and it will not affect the medical care you receive from your doctors.

How to find out more

Norman B Purvis, PhD

npurvis@pierianbio.com +44 (0)333 034 1690 Official trial record

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