Active clinical trials for "Colonic Neoplasms"

This study aims to investigate levels of circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTC) and immunological changes after self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement for malignant obstruction in the colon, and interpret these levels in relation to overall- and disease-free survival. Furthermore, we intend to study the opportunity to identify patients with a higher risk of recurrence due to the SEMS placement by monitoring cfDNA and ctDNA-levels, as it may be a potential biomarker to initiate or optimize chemotherapy and thereby ensure a better prognosis for the patients.

Small growths detected in the colon (polyps) during a colonoscopy may or may not have the potential to develop into cancer. However, since visual inspection alone cannot separate all potentially harmful polyps from harmless ones, the standard approach is to remove them all for histological lab examination, exposing patients to risk of injury and putting a significant demand on hospital resources. An accurate method of determining polyp type during endoscopy would enable the clinician to only remove potentially harmful polyps. A new endoscopic optical imaging probe (OPTIC), which analyses how light interacts with tissue, is proposed to do this. The probe is contained within a normal endoscope and uses white light and blue/violet laser light to illuminate the tissue. The reflected and fluorescent light emitted, along with normal colour pictures of the polyp surface, are measured and recorded to quantify specific characteristics of each type. Optical measurements of polyps detected in endoscopy clinics at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be analysed to determine if the signal can be used to differentiate different polyp types.

Colorectal carcinoma is a major health problem. As a malignant tumor, the malignant potential of colorectal carcinoma is based mainly on its ability to metastasis to different sites. Fascin-1 is an actin binding protein which is involved in reconstruction of intracellular actin network, the latter enforces the neoplastic cell to invade surrounding structures.

The objective of the study is the analysis of lymphadenectomy in the course of right hemicolectomy, in relation to the radicality of the surgical resection that is performed. In particular, the investigators wants to inquire how according to precise standards regarding surgical radicalness and consequently the anatomical piece that is obtained it is possible to correlate a certain number of lymph nodes and their possible positivity. The lead center is the General and Thoracic Surgery Department of the University of Ferrara. Prof. Anania is the responsible for the enrollment of patients and the coordination with the collaborating centers in the six month-study

Adjuvant Colon Cancer With ELOXatin®/5 FU Based Regimen: ACCELOX

Protein arginine methylation is an important process, which regulates diverse cellular functions including cell proliferation, RNA stability, DNA repair and gene transcription. Based on literature search, protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) indeed plays important roles in colon cancer pathophysiology. The PRMT expression level is involved in colon cancer patient's survival and has been suggested to be a prognostic marker in colon cancer patients. Recently, our group found a novel methylation on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which affected EGFR downstream signaling. investigators further observed the methylation event on EGFR not only regulated tumor growth in mouse xenograft model but also influenced cetuximab response in colon cancer cell lines. To further study the clinical correlation between EGFR methylation and cetuximab response, we propose to detect EGFR methylation level in paraffin embedded tissue samples from colorectal cancer patients with or without cetuximab treatment by IHC staining and analyze its correlation with cetuximab response. This study will provide an insight to the strategy of colorectal cancer therapy.

This is an RCT aimed at testing different population-based approaches to increasing colorectal cancer screening through email outreach, including usual email communication, active choice, and active choice + financial incentive.

Background: The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is a list of toxicities and side effects that may occur when people are having cancer treatment. Doctors and nurses use this list to describe the side effects patients experience from cancer treatment. We have developed a questionnaire to ask people having cancer treatment directly about common symptoms and side effects and to supply this information to their doctors and nurses. This questionnaire is known as PRO-CTCAE and is completed by a patient. PRO-CTCAE was originally developed in English. Researchers want to develop a Spanish version of the patient questionnaire. To test whether the questions are well understood and whether it is easy to complete the questionnaire, the researchers will interview individuals whose primary language is Spanish and who are being treated for different types of cancer. Objectives: - To test a Spanish version of the PRO-CTCAE questionnaire. Eligibility: - Latinos at least 18 years of age who are having or have recently finished cancer treatments and whose main language is Spanish Design: Participants will complete a questionnaire in Spanish with selected questions from the translated PRO-CTCAE. They will discuss their answers and any difficulties they might have had in understanding or answer the questions with an interviewer, who will take notes and record comments and suggestions. Literacy is not required for this study. Participants may opt to have the questions read aloud to them by an interviewer.

The investigators are undertaking a multi-center, 13000 subject validation study of several biomarkers for early detection of colon cancer. There are stool based biomarkers and blood based biomarkers being validated in this study. The biomarkers will be compared with colonoscopy and with FIT (fecal immunohistochemistry) tests which are the current standards for colon cancer screening. This is an NCI-early Detection Research Network funded project. The population targeted for this study are those persons undergoing colonoscopy for screening. Prior to colonoscopy or even prepping for colonoscopy, subjects will provide blood and stool samples as well as specific data regarding their GI and general medical history and concomitant medications. If subjects are interested in participating, arrangements will be made to see them. The informed consent process will take place, blood will be obtained, data will be obtained, and the stool kit described and given to the subject to take home. Stool samples will be sent back to the University of Michigan using prepaid mailing labels.

This simple technique of attaching a transparent cap to the tip of the colonoscope has been evaluated in Japan for improving the detection of polyps and cecal intubation but has not been formally evaluated in the US and other western countries. In one study (19), the polyp detection rate was higher with the transparent cap compared to no cap (49% vs. 39%, p=0.04). Also, the cecal intubation time was shorter with the cap (11.5 min vs 14 min, p=0.008). In a recently published study, a variation of the cap called the transparent retractable extension device was used (21). Overall, the number of adenomas detected were significantly higher with the device compared to without it (205 vs. 150, p=0.04). In an earlier study by Tada et al (22), use of a transparent cap improved the detection rate of lesions per patient (0.86 vs. 0.58) but did not increase the cecal intubation time. Finally, Lee et al (20) used cap assisted colonoscopy in patients with difficult colonoscopy procedure (defined as failure to pass through sigmoid colon after 20 minutes or failure to reach cecum). Using the cap, cecal intubation was achieved in 94% of patients and this proved to be an effective rescue method for failed or difficult colonoscopy. The major appeal of this technique is that it is inexpensive, very practical, and easy to use. Furthermore it is safe and there are no reported complications from this. If found to be effective in increasing the polyp yield it has the potential to being incorporated by busy gastroenterologists in their day to day clinical practice. These features and the preliminary data from Japan merit the evaluation of this promising technique in the US.