Blood test could help pick the right drug for tough colorectal cancers
NCT ID NCT03844620
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 5 times
Summary
This phase II trial is testing whether a blood test that looks for tumor DNA (ctDNA) can help doctors choose between two standard drugs—regorafenib or TAS-102—for people with advanced colorectal cancer that has stopped responding to other treatments. The study will enroll 100 participants and compare how well the blood test predicts tumor growth and side effects compared to usual care. The goal is to see if this personalized approach leads to better outcomes and fewer unnecessary side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- regorafenib or trifluridine/tipiracil hydrochloride (TAS-102)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that using a simple blood test to monitor tumor DNA helps doctors choose the right drug at the right time, potentially improving survival and quality of life for people with advanced colorectal cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (100 participants) that is not yet recruiting. The approach may not prove better than standard care, and the drugs themselves can cause serious side effects like fatigue, hand-foot skin reactions, and low blood counts.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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