Simple blood test could replace biopsies for cancer gene testing
NCT ID NCT02279004
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is testing a blood-based genetic test to find cancer-driving mutations in patients with lung cancer or melanoma. The goal is to see if this simple blood draw can replace the need for a tumor biopsy, which is slower and more invasive. Researchers will check how accurate the test is and whether it can track how well treatment is working over time. About 840 people are taking part.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- blood-based genetic test (ddPCR plasma genotyping assay)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this blood test could provide a quicker, less invasive way to identify cancer mutations and monitor treatment response, helping doctors choose the right targeted therapy sooner.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The test may not be accurate enough to replace tumor biopsies in all cases, and results may not improve patient outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
About 840 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Jul 2014
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients with NSCLC and advanced melanoma that are either newly diagnosed, have acquired resistance to kinase inhibitor therapy or have a known targetable mutation and are beginning a new line of therapy.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria To participate in this study a participant must meet the eligibility of one of the following cohorts: Cohort 1: Cancers beginning initial treatment * One of the following diagnoses: * Cohort 1A (CLOSED): ---Advanced non-squamous NSCLC (including adenosquamous) * Cohort 1B: * Stage II-III non-squamous NSCLC (including adenosquamous) * Stage IIIB-IV melanoma * Patient must be planned to begin initial therapy, or completely resected before or after receiving adjuvant therapy * For patients with NSCLC, EGFR and KRAS genotype may be known or unknown * For patients with melanoma, BRAF and NRAS genotype may be known or unknown * For patients without tumor genotyping, there must be a plan for genotyping including either: * Archived tumor tissue available and planned for genotyping * A biopsy at some future time is anticipated and will be available for genotyping Cohort 2: Cancers with acquired resistance to targeted therapy * One of the following diagnoses: * Cohort 2A (CLOSED): ---Advanced NSCLC harboring a known EGFR mutation * Cohort 2B: * Advanced NSCLC harboring a targetable genotype other than EGFR * Advanced melanoma harboring a known tumor genotype * Clinical determination of progression targeted therapy, as evidence by plans to start a new systemic treatment regimen, or obtain a biopsy to plan a new treatment regimen * New systemic treatment regimen planned OR * Re-biopsy for resistance genotyping planned * Note, date of targeted therapy start and clinical progression must be provided Cohort 3: Cancers with a known genotype starting palliative systemic therapy Cohort 3A (CLOSED): * Advanced NSCLC harboring one of the following mutations: * EGFR exon 19 deletion * EGFR L858R * EGFR T790M * KRAS G12X * BRAF V600E * Patients must be initiating palliative systemic therapy, either on or off a clinical trial Cohort 4: Paired plasma NGS and ddPCR * Cohort 4A (CLOSED): * Advanced NSCLC, newly diagnosed or with progression following treatment. * Biopsy tissue must be available or a biopsy planned and one of the following: * Genotyping must have been performed previously * Genotyping must be in progress * A plan must exist to order genotyping on existing tissue or a planned re-biopsy * Patient must not be eligible to enroll in cohort 1A or 2A due to: * Not eligible for cohort 1A or 2A * Eligible for cohort 1A or 2A but cohort has closed * Cohort 4B: Undergenotyped NSCLC * Advanced NSCLC, newly diagnosed or with progression following treatment. * No known targetable genotype on prior tumor genotyping * Biopsy planned for tumor genotyping * Cohort 4C: EGFR-mutant NSCLC with acquired resistance * Advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC with progression on EGFR TKI * Biopsy planned for resistance genotyping (e.g. T790M, etc) Cohort 5: Genotyped KRAS patients starting palliative systemic therapy * Advanced NSCLC harboring a KRAS exon 2 mutation * Patients must be initiating new systemic therapy, either on or off a clinical trial Exclusion Criteria * Participants who are unable to provide informed consent * Participants who are 18 years of age or younger * Participants who are unable to comply with the study procedures
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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
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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