MRI + Liquid Biopsy for Early Cancer Detection

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Implants, Metal, Claustrophobia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if whole-body MRIs and blood tests (liquid biopsies) can detect early cancer in individuals with a strong family history of the disease. The researchers seek to assess the acceptability of these tests for patients in early cancer detection. This study may suit those with two or more close family members with cancer and a personal cancer history within the past five years. Participants must be willing to have blood drawn and undergo an MRI scan. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how these detection methods function in people, offering participants a chance to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in cancer detection.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that whole body MRI and liquid biopsy are safe for early cancer detection?

Research has shown that whole-body MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) without contrast is generally safe for cancer screening. Unlike some other scans, it doesn't use radiation, making it safer for frequent use. Studies recommend this type of MRI for individuals at higher risk of developing cancer.

Research indicates that liquid biopsy can detect cancer cells in the blood. This non-invasive method doesn't require surgery, and patients generally tolerate it well. Studies have not reported any major safety concerns, and it is sometimes used for early cancer detection.

Both methods aim to catch cancer early, potentially leading to better outcomes. For those considering joining a trial, these findings support the safety of these methods. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about combining MRI and liquid biopsy for early cancer detection because it offers a non-invasive way to catch cancer early. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on invasive tissue biopsies or contrast dyes in imaging, this approach uses a simple blood test and a whole-body MRI without contrast. The blood test can detect cancer-related genetic material, potentially identifying cancer before it becomes visible through standard imaging. This means it could lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for patients, sparking a lot of hope and interest in the medical community.

What evidence suggests that this trial's methods could be effective for early cancer detection?

In this trial, participants will undergo both liquid biopsy and whole-body MRI for early cancer detection. Research shows that liquid biopsy can detect cancer early by analyzing blood samples for cancer cells. This non-invasive method, which doesn't involve surgery or major procedures, can quickly identify cancer. Studies have found that it provides up-to-date information about tumors in the body.

Whole-body MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is another method under study for early cancer detection, particularly for individuals at higher risk. While researchers continue to assess its effectiveness for screening, past research has found cancer in about 1.57% to 7% of high-risk patients. Using both methods together in this trial might offer a promising way to catch cancer early, especially for those with a strong family history. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dan Raz

Principal Investigator

City of Hope Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with a strong family history of cancer, particularly those who are at least 50 years old or within 10 years of the age their relative was diagnosed with cancer. Participants must have multiple relatives with cancer and be willing to undergo genetic counseling, germline testing, and MRI scans without contrast. They should not have had any type of whole body imaging in the last three years or show signs/symptoms suggesting current cancer.

Inclusion Criteria

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) or other whole body imaging modality (including combination of CT chest and abdomen) within 3 years

I have been diagnosed with cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer in the last 5 years.

Able to undergo MRI (no implants, metal, or claustrophobia that would preclude MRI)

Exclusion Criteria

Contraindications to MRI (implants, metal, or claustrophobia that would preclude MRI)

I am unable to understand and give consent for treatment.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Testing

Participants undergo whole body MRI without contrast and blood sample collection for liquid biopsy. Germline testing may also be performed.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for psychological distress and health-related quality of life up to 6 months after testing.

6 months

Periodic surveys

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Biospecimen Collection
• Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk
• Liquid Biopsy
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Whole Body without Contrast

Trial Overview The study is looking into how acceptable it is for patients to use whole body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and liquid biopsies as methods for early detection of cancers in individuals at high risk due to family history. It aims to see if these techniques can identify early-stage cancers more effectively than traditional organ-specific screenings.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Whole Body MRI and Liquid Biopsy Experimental Treatment 5 Interventions

Patients undergo WBM without contrast and blood sample collection for liquid biopsy

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

City of Hope Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

614

Recruited

1,924,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Liquid biopsies, which analyze components like circulating tumor cells and circulating free DNA from body fluids, offer a less invasive alternative to traditional tissue biopsies for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

These innovative methods can provide valuable biomarkers for early cancer detection, prognosis, and treatment prediction, although each technology has its own advantages and limitations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Different Facets of Liquid Biopsy: A Kaleidoscopic View. Eslami-S, Z., Cortés-Hernández, LE., Cayrefourcq, L., et al.[2022]

Liquid biopsies, which analyze biofluids like blood or urine for tumor-related molecules, are emerging as valuable tools in cancer management, potentially serving as alternatives to traditional tissue biopsies.

This review highlights three key methods of liquid biopsy—circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, and circulating tumor DNA—demonstrating their diagnostic and prognostic potential in assessing cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Liquid Biopsy in Solid Malignancy. Scarlotta, M., Simsek, C., Kim, AK.[2023]

Citations

1. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41392-024-02021-w

Liquid biopsy in cancer: current status, challenges and ... Liquid biopsy has many advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of cancer, including non-invasive, quickly and so on.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11010957/

The Role of Circulating Tumor Cells as a Liquid Biopsy for ... This review article explores the forefront of research and technology in the detection and isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for liquid biopsy ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295019542500013X

Enhancing detection and monitoring of circulating tumor cells These tools improve molecular profiling, enable early cancer detection, and support dynamic treatment monitoring, reinforcing the role of liquid biopsy in ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11130638/

Liquid biopsy for human cancer: cancer screening, monitoring ... Liquid biopsy is a novel, minimally invasive, real‐time detection tool for detecting information directly or indirectly released by tumors in human body fluids.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095927325006565

Review Liquid biopsy-based multi-cancer early detection This review comprehensively examines the advancements in MCED technologies and offers insights into the selection of cancer types for inclusion in MCED panels.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12032849/

A Review of Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) and the Liquid ... This article aims to review ctDNA and liquid biopsy in the diagnosis, early detection, and monitoring of treatment response in cancer.

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41467-024-55140-x

Tumor cell-based liquid biopsy using high-throughput ... We developed a high-throughput microfluidic device, depleting hematopoietic cells through high-flow channels and force-amplifying magnetic lenses.