New bioMarkers tO straTIfy cOlorectal caNcer Referrals

Launched by QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON · Jun 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new blood test that might help doctors better predict whether someone has colorectal cancer (cancer of the large intestine) or polyps (small growths that can sometimes turn into cancer). The test looks for certain markers in the blood, called hPG80 and transposable elements, to see if they can accurately identify cancer or polyps in people who have been referred for urgent checks because of symptoms that might suggest lower gut problems. The study also wants to find out how patients feel about using a simple blood test compared to more invasive procedures like colonoscopies or scans.

Adults aged 18 and over who have been referred through the usual urgent pathways for suspected lower gut cancer may be eligible to take part, as long as they don’t have certain conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer. If you join, you’ll provide a small blood sample during your routine hospital visit while you undergo the standard tests your doctor has arranged. Your blood results will then be compared with your final diagnosis to see how well the test works. Some participants will have extra blood tests for more detailed analysis, and everyone will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about their experience with different types of testing. This study is not yet recruiting but aims to make future diagnosis quicker and less invasive.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult, lower GI 2WW and or Straight to Test (STT) referral patients with suspected lower GI cancer.
• • Male and Female patients aged \>18 years.
• • 2WW referral patients with no history of inflammatory bowel disease.
• • Performance status (ECOG 0-2; and 3 pending clinical assessment of fitness).
• • Patients with capacity to consent to the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any patients referred outside of the 2WW and or STT referral pathways with suspected Lower GI cancer or those referred as an emergency with or suspected CRC.
• • Age \< 18 years.
• • Patients not fit for standard investigations (e.g. not fit for gastroscopy, colonoscopy or CT colonography) in the 2WW pathway.
• • Patients with no capacity to consent or who declined consent for participation.
• • Patients with untreated solid organ cancers.
• • Patients with known inflammatory bowel disease.
• • Patients with documented familial type CRC.