Blood test may decide who needs surgery for rectal cancer

NCT ID NCT07209215

Not yet recruiting Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of California, Davis Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 06, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether a highly sensitive blood test (ctDNA) can help manage treatment for 200 people with early-stage rectal cancer. After standard chemotherapy and radiation, some patients will have their treatment guided by the blood test results instead of immediate surgery. The study aims to see if this approach can achieve similar cancer control while possibly avoiding unnecessary surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Signatera Genome ultra-sensitive ctDNA blood test
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a blood test helps doctors decide who needs surgery and who can safely avoid it after initial treatment.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase study with only 200 participants. The blood test may not be accurate enough to guide decisions, and results may not apply to all patients.

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.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

EARLY-STAGE RECTAL CANCER LOCALLY ADVANCED RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA RECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••

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