Could a vaginal swab detect multiple cancers? mayo clinic launches major study
NCT ID NCT05051722
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study aims to develop a screening test that uses a vaginal swab and blood sample to find DNA markers for endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Researchers at Mayo Clinic will enroll over 3,000 women to see if the test can accurately detect these cancers at an early stage. The goal is to create a simple, non-invasive tool that could catch gynecologic cancers sooner.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Methylated DNA markers and high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) detection in vaginal fluid and blood
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive screening test that detects multiple gynecologic cancers early, potentially improving survival rates.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase II biomarker study, not a treatment trial. The test may not prove accurate enough in larger, diverse populations, and false positives or negatives are possible.
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
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About 3,110 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2021
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
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 presenting to a GYN or GYN Surgery Clinic for evaluation of symptoms or for consultation and planned procedures as outlined in the seven study cohort descriptions.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- 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 for Cohort 1: Patients will be ≥45 years of age and meet one of the following criteria: * Abnormal uterine bleeding * Postmenopausal bleeding OR Patients ages 18 - 44 years of age and meet these criteria * Abnormal uterine bleeding * One risk factor for endometrial cancer (BMI ≥30 or PCOS or Tamoxifen use) Exclusion Criteria for Cohort 1: * Prior hysterectomy * Current known pregnancy diagnosis * Any prior pelvic or vaginal radiotherapy * Any prior cancer (except basal cell skin cancer) within the past 5 years * Chemotherapy within the past 5 years * Current biopsy-proven cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer or lower genital tract dysplasia * Current biopsy-proven endometrial cancer or endometrial hyperplasia * Current biopsy-proven benign endometrial polyp * Endometrial biopsy/sampling within the preceding 1 month showing benign endometrium Inclusion Criteria for Cohort 2: Patients will be ≥18 years of age and meet at least one of the following criteria: * Presence of biopsy-proven EC (any histology, including uterine carcinosarcoma) and surgical intervention planned. Surgical intervention can include any of the following: hysterectomy, D\&C, hysteroscopic resection * Biopsy showing AEH or EIN with surgical intervention planned. Surgical intervention can include any of the following: hysterectomy, D\&C, hysteroscopic resection, etc) Exclusion Criteria for Cohort 2: * Undergoing surgical procedure for recurrent or metastatic EC * Received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy for current EC diagnosis * Prior hysterectomy * Current known pregnancy diagnosis * Prior or current biopsy-proven cervical cancer * Presence of concomitant biopsy-proven cervical dysplasia * Any prior pelvic or vaginal radiotherapy * Any prior cancer (except basal cell skin cancer) within the past 5 years * Chemotherapy within the past 5 years * Prior intervention or surgery with intent to completely remove the target pathology Inclusion Criteria for Cohort 3: Patients will be ≥18 years of age, have a cervix and meet at least one of the following criteria: * History of current abnormal cervical/endocervical Pap test for which the patient is presenting for colposcopy * Cervical mass identified on physical exam and patient referred for cervical biopsy, even if colposcopy not recommended or indicated * Planned clinically indicated surgical excisional biopsy or removal of the cervix (cold knife cone, LEEP, hysterectomy) for abnormal Pap test, cervical dysplasia, cervical mass, or biopsy-proven invasive cervical cancer (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, or less common primary cervical carcinomas all eligible) Exclusion Criteria for Cohort 3: * History of pelvic or vaginal radiotherapy * Prior total hysterectomy (cervix removed) for any indication * Current known pregnancy diagnosis * Cervical mass biopsy-proven to be EC or a cancer metastatic from a non-cervical origin * Any prior cancer (except basal cell skin cancer) within the past 5 years * Chemotherapy within the past 5 years * Patients presenting for colposcopy as part of lower genital tract dysplasia or cancer surveillance after prior curative intent treatment and no current Pap abnormality or cervical mass * Prior intervention or surgery with intent to completely remove the target pathology for the current lesion / diagnosis during the current episode Inclusion Criteria for Cohort 4: Patients will be ≥45 years of age and should meet at least one of the following criteria: * Undergoing hysterectomy with biopsy-proven or clinically presumed (based on imaging and/or clinical symptoms) benign gynecologic or uterine pathology of fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or benign endometrial polyps. * Undergoing any gynecologic surgery in which a benign pathologic tissue diagnosis of fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or benign endometrial polyp is anticipated to be confirmed. Exclusion Criteria for Cohort 4: * Endometrial biopsy or office hysteroscopy within 2 weeks preceding the planned gynecologic surgery procedure for fibroids, endometriosis, benign endometrial polyps, or adenomyosis * Any surgery within the past 3 months * Prior hysterectomy * Current known pregnancy diagnosis * Prior or current biopsy-proven gynecologic cancer * Current biopsy-proven AEH/EIN, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar dysplasia * Prior pelvic or vaginal radiotherapy * Any prior cancer (except basal cell skin cancer) within the past 5 years * Chemotherapy within the past 5 years * Undergoing hysterectomy for prolapse without a coexisting known or presumed benign uterine pathologic diagnosis of fibroids, endometriosis, benign endometrial polyps, or adenomyosis * Prior intervention or surgery with intent to completely remove the target pathology for the current lesion / diagnosis during the current episode Inclusion Criteria for Cohort 5: Patients with a uterus will be ≥45 years of age and should meet the following criteria: * Presenting for GYN wellness exam, ± Pap test * No change in medical conditions, new diagnoses, or new medications within the past 6 months Exclusion Criteria for Cohort 5: * Pap test or cervical biopsy within the past 1 month * Endometrial biopsy or office hysteroscopy within the past 1 month * Any surgery within the past 3 months * Prior hysterectomy * Current known pregnancy diagnosis * Prior or current biopsy-proven gynecologic cancer * Current biopsy-proven AEH/EIN, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar dysplasia * Prior pelvic or vaginal radiotherapy * Any prior cancer (except basal cell skin cancer) within the past 5 years * Chemotherapy within the past 5 years * Criteria met for inclusion in any of the other study cohorts Inclusion Criteria for Cohort 6: Patients ≥50 years of age and: * Postmenopausal * At least 1 intact ovary * Diagnosis of an adnexal mass or a clinical suspicion of early-stage ovarian cancer (including fallopian tube cancer) * Planned surgery for the adnexal mass * For vaginal fluid collection, patient must have a uterus, cervix and at least 1 intact fallopian tube\* (without prior tubal ligation/occlusion) Exclusion criteria for Cohort 6: * Any current or prior cancer diagnosis (except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, non-gyn) * Chemotherapy for cancer treatment within the past 5 years prior to collection * Clinically suspected advanced stage ovarian cancer (Stage III or IV) on presentation, if known prior to specimen collection * Surgical candidates for recurrent ovarian cancer * History of pelvic or vaginal radiation therapy * Known current synchronous endometrial cancer or hyperplasia * Known current cervical, vaginal, or vulvar dysplasia Inclusion criteria for Cohort 7: Women will be ≥18 years of age and meet the following criteria: * Presence of clinically probable ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer (all under the umbrella of OC) based on clinical findings of any/all of the following: imaging showing adnexal and/or abdominal masses consistent with probable ovarian cancer, omental caking, elevated CA125, ascites, imaging-guided biopsy consistent with OC pathology * Newly diagnosed with ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer without neoadjuvant therapy * At least one intact ovary * For vaginal fluid collection, patient must have a uterus, cervix and at least 1 intact fallopian tube\* (without prior tubal ligation/occlusion) Exclusion criteria for Cohort 7: * Patients with recurrent OC * Any current or prior cancer diagnosis (except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, non-gyn) within the past 5 years * Chemotherapy for cancer treatment within the past 5 years prior to collection * History of pelvic or vaginal radiation therapy * Known current synchronous endometrial cancer or hyperplasia * Known current cervical, vaginal, or vulvar dysplasia * Current known pregnancy diagnosis
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
20 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Altru Health System
RECRUITINGGrand Forks, North Dakota, 58206, United States
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Cleveland Clinic
RECRUITINGCleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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Genoma Research, Inc.
RECRUITINGMiami, Florida, 33173, United States
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Mayo Clinic
RECRUITINGPhoenix, Arizona, 85054, United States
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Mayo Clinic
RECRUITINGJacksonville, Florida, 32224, United States
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Mayo Clinic
RECRUITINGRochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
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Mayo Clinic Health System - Northwest Wisconsin
RECRUITINGEau Claire, Wisconsin, 54703, United States
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Mayo Clinic Health System - Southwest Wisconsin
RECRUITINGLa Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601, United States
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Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP
RECRUITINGKaty, Texas, 77450, United States
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Medical College of Wisconsin
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGMilwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
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My GYN Care
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGMiami, Florida, 33156, United States
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Ochsner Clinic Foundation
RECRUITINGNew Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States
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Orlando Health
RECRUITINGOrlando, Florida, 32806, United States
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Piedmont Healthcare
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30318, United States
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Providea Health Partners, LLC
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGEvergreen Park, Illinois, 60805, United States
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Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
RECRUITINGSarasota, Florida, 34239, United States
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Signature Women's Healthcare, LLC
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGPembroke Pines, Florida, 33029, United States
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The Woman's Health Pavilion
RECRUITINGHoward Beach, New York, 11414, United States
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The Woman's Health Pavilion
RECRUITINGWestbury, New York, 11590, United States
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Total Women's Care of the Heights
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77018, United States
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University of Chicago
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
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University of Mississippi Medical Center
RECRUITINGJackson, Mississippi, 39213, United States
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Valley OB-GYN Clinic
RECRUITINGSaginaw, Michigan, 48602, United States
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Virginia Commonwealth University/ Massey Cancer Center
RECRUITINGRichmond, Virginia, 23219, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Ovarian Cancer's spread: scientists probe abdominal fluid for clues
- New PET tracer aims to light up hidden cancer targets
- Can pulsed radiation extend life in metastatic cervical cancer?
- Can inhaled manganese make ovarian cancer immunotherapy hit harder?
- Can a pill shrink Hard-to-Treat ovarian tumors?