This phase II trial evaluates whether a circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) test is more effective than the standard image-guided approach at finding the best clinical treatment for patients with colon or rectal cancer that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). ctDNA refers to DNA that comes from cancerous cells and tumors. As these cells die and are replaced by new ones, they release their DNA into the bloodstream. A ctDNA test measures the amount of ctDNA found in the bloodstream from cancerous cells and tumors and is an indication of how the cancer is progressing. The typical method of determining whether cancer is responding to treatment is using repeat imaging scans with tumor measurements approximately every 12 weeks. Because the ctDNA test only requires a blood sample, it can be performed more frequently and easily, potentially allowing treatment changes to be made sooner. The ctDNA test may be better at finding the best clinical treatment more efficiently and with less exposure to negative side effects than the current practice of routine imaging.
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT04786600.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To determine the difference in overall survival (OS) of adults with metastatic colorectal cancer after treatment with oxaliplatin, between use of the ctDNA guided assay (Signatera Test) and the routine scan-guided approach.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To measure and compare progression free survival (PFS) and best overall response (OR) in subjects with ctDNA-guided treatment compared to routine scan-guided treatment.
II. To investigate the dynamics of ctDNA versus (vs) scan evidence of disease status.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:
I. To investigate the relationship of the microbiome and other novel biomarkers relative to patient outcomes.
OUTLINE: Patients undergo ctDNA testing at baseline. Patients with measurable ctDNA are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. Patients without measurable ctDNA will be followed for survival off study.
ARM A: Patients initiate a standard therapy as determined by the treating physician and move through the standard treatment algorithm in a pre-specified order based on ctDNA results. Patients undergo collection of blood samples and ctDNA testing every 2 weeks while on standard therapy. If ctDNA results indicate non-response to any therapy, patients proceed to the next standard therapy in the pre-specified order and continue undergoing collection of blood samples and ctDNA testing every 2 weeks. If ctDNA results indicate response to any therapy, patients continue with that therapy and begin undergoing collection of blood samples and ctDNA testing every 4 weeks until either routine computed tomography (CT) scans (completed every 12 weeks) indicate progressive disease, or until ctDNA results indicate non-response, at which point patients proceed to the next standard therapy in the pre-specified order.
ARM B: Patients initiate a standard therapy as determined by the treating physician and move through the standard treatment algorithm in a pre-specified order based on routine CT scans completed every 12 weeks. If imaging results indicate response to any therapy, patients may continue with that therapy. If imaging results indicate progressive disease to any therapy, patients proceed to the next standard therapy in the pre-specified order. Patients also undergo collection of blood samples for ctDNA testing every 4 weeks, but ctDNA results are not used to guide treatment decisions.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days, and then every 3 months.
Lead OrganizationUF Health Cancer Institute - Gainesville
Principal InvestigatorSherise Rogers