Early Cancer DetectionASCENDNCT04213326
Detecting Cancers Earlier Through Elective Plasma-based CancerSEEK Testing
An observational study of Early Cancer Detection, run by Exact Sciences Corporation at 14 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This is a prospective, observational study of 1,000 subjects with known or suspected cancer and 2,000 subjects with no known cancer. Potential participants will be asked questions to confirm their eligibility by a nurse navigator, study staff member, or physician. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Early Cancer Detection
- How many people
- 6,400 participants
- Where
- 14 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 18 Nov 2019to 29 Jan 2021
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: 3000 total subjects 2000 healthy volunteers 1000 cancer volunteers
Who may be able to join
- Age 50 or greater
- Ability to understand the nature of this study and give written informed consent
- CANCER COHORT:
- Either of the following:
- Histologic diagnosis of cancer with no prior systemic or definitive therapy (any stage, including, inclusive of is-situ carcinoma)
- Or
Show all 9Show fewer
- Subject with high suspicion of cancer through radiological and/or clinical assessment who are scheduled for resection or biopsy within 6 weeks of study blood collection and have not received prior systemic or definitive therapy.
- NON-CANCER COHORT
- No prior history of cancer
Who cannot join
- ALL PATIENTS
- Evidence of active febrile infection prior to blood draw.
- Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- History of an allogeneic bone marrow, stem cell transplant, or solid organ transplant.
- Judgment by the Investigator or study staff of any other reason that would prohibit the inclusion of the subject in the study.
- CANCER COHORT
Show all 10Show fewer
- Subjects newly diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy, primary central nervous system tumor, prostate cancer, or skin cancer (including melanoma).
- History of, or currently receiving, systemic or definitive cancer treatment including curative surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
- NON-CANCER COHORT
- None
Trial locations and contacts
14 sites in 1 country.
14 sites in 1 country
United States14 sites
Sarah Cannon
Augusta, Georgia, 30909
Sarah Cannon
Denver, Colorado, 80220
Sarah Cannon
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32547
Sarah Cannon
Independence, Missouri, 64057
Sarah Cannon
Kansas City, Kansas, 64012
Sarah Cannon
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89129
Sarah Cannon
Macon, Georgia, 31217
Sarah Cannon
Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
Sarah Cannon
Ocala, Florida, 34471
Sarah Cannon
Overland Park, Kansas, 66209
Sarah Cannon
Pensacola, Florida, 32514
Sarah Cannon
Richmond, Virginia, 23229
Sarah Cannon
Savannah, Georgia, 31404
Sarah Cannon
Thousand Oaks, California, 23229
About this study
Official title: Detecting Cancers Earlier Through Elective Plasma-based CancerSEEK Testing - Ascertaining Serial Cancer Patients to Enable New Diagnostic
This is a prospective, observational study of 1,000 subjects with known or suspected cancer and 2,000 subjects with no known cancer.
Potential participants will be asked questions to confirm their eligibility by a nurse navigator, study staff member, or physician.
Read more
Informed consent will be carried out for eligible subjects in accordance with applicable federal regulations and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)/Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.
Subjects will then complete a survey, and study staff will draw 60 mL of blood and measure the height and weight of the subject.
Where available, data from the medical records of the cancer subjects will reviewed and collected. In addition, non-cancer subjects will be requested to allow access to their medical records as an optional portion of their informed consent.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective, observational study of 1,000 subjects with known or suspected cancer confirmed through pathology reports and/or clinical/radiographic data and 2,000 subjects with no known cancer. De-identified blood samples and clinical data will be collected from subjects to validate a classification algorithm for a new version of the CancerSEEK assay.
Potential participants will be asked questions to confirm their eligibility by a nurse navigator, study staff member, or physician to document screening including date of upcoming therapy or surgery for cancer patients if one has been scheduled, before providing informed consent to participate in the study. Study procedures outside of the pre-screening for eligibility will not be performed prior to the subject providing consent. Informed consent will be carried out in accordance with applicable federal regulations and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)/Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Prior to signing the informed consent form (ICF), potential participants will confirm that they understand the study and that they have no questions about the study.
The ICF may be offered by paper or electronically with the option to also review a paper copy provided by the nurse navigator or study coordinator either face-to-face on a tablet or via email. Potential participants will be given a phone number to call with any study specific questions. Copies of all signed consent forms will be stored centrally in a secure environment, and signed consent forms will thereby be available for verification by Thrive or its designee at any time.
Once the subject completes the survey, study staff will complete the blood draw and collect height and weight data. For some participants, their contact information and unique study identifier (ID) will be sent securely to a third-party vendor who will contact the subject within 24 hours to schedule the blood draw and height and weight measurements at a location convenient to the subject.
For all subjects, study staff and the third-party vendor performing the blood collection will verify the following before performing the blood draw and height and weight measurements: participant identity and age against a form of identification, that consent to participate has been given, that the participants in the cancer arm are still treatment naïve, and that they do not have a fever that could be caused by an infection. The blood collection vendor will ensure all required data are captured and included with the blood sample, that the sample is collected and packaged according to laboratory manual specifications, and that the sample is shipped to the indicated processing lab with the required expediency. Following all study visits, study staff and third party vendor staff will complete a visit checklist confirming all of the study activities that occurred.
Subjects in the Cancer cohort will be identified via nurse navigation, study staff or oncology physicians in local offices. The nurse navigator or study staff will verify eligibility through chart review and pre-screen, approach the subject about the study opportunity, and present the informed consent form. For participants enrolling electronically, participants will be presented with a secured tablet device on which the subject will watch a brief video about the study, read the informed consent and provide electronic consent. Some participants may also have the option of having the video, informed consent and survey emailed to them. Upon consent and enrollment, subjects will be assigned a unique subject study ID, which will be used to track the subject, their data and their biospecimen throughout study operations. Consented subjects will then be directed to complete a survey via the tablet device, email or paper. Participants will be allowed to skip questions in the survey or select the answer option "prefer not to answer." Subject data will be tracked in real-time by central study staff to ensure desired tumor type diversification and communicate enrollment strategy changes to the nurse navigators and study staff.
- Conditions
- Early Cancer Detection
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Cohort | Subjects interested in the cancer cohort, will sign an informed consent, complete an optional survey, and have 60mLs of blood draw by a licensed phlebotomist. | |
| Non-Cancer Cohort | Subjects interested in the non-cancer cohort, will sign an informed consent, complete an optional survey, and have 60mLs of blood draw by a licensed phlebotomist. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Study Data and Samples Were Used for CancerSEEK Assay Development
The primary objective of the study is to collect blood samples from known cancer and non cancer participants. These blood samples were used to calibrate the CancerSEEK assay. There was no pre-defined performance threshold.
Measured: 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Dec 2019
- Study start18 Nov 2019
- Primary completion29 Jan 2021
- Study completion29 Jan 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Early Cancer DetectionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 6,400 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Exact Sciences Corporation
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Dax Kurbegov, MD, Principal investigator, Sarah Cannon
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04213326
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HEOR 24
- Acronym
- ASCEND
- Status last verified
- Jun 2024
- First submitted
- 23 Dec 2019
- Last updated
- 14 Jun 2024
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Mayerhoefer ME, Kienzle A, Woo S, Vargas HA. Update on Liquid Biopsy. Radiology. 2025 Jun;315(3):e241030. doi: 10.1148/radiol.241030.
PubMed 40525978Post C, Braun TP, Etzioni R, Nabavizadeh N. Multicancer Early Detection Tests: An Overview of Early Results From Prospective Clinical Studies and Opportunities for Oncologists. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Dec;19(12):1111-1115. doi: 10.1200/OP.23.00260. Epub 2023 Oct 18.
PubMed 37851937
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Jun 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Detecting Cancers Earlier Through Elective Plasma-based CancerSEEK Testing - Ascertaining Serial Cancer Patients to Enable New Diagnostic
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04213326
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ASCEND / HEOR 24
- Conditions
- Early Cancer Detection
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 6,400 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Exact Sciences CorporationIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 18 Nov 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 Jan 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Jan 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Dec 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 18 Jan 2023
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a prospective, observational study of 1,000 subjects with known or suspected cancer and 2,000 subjects with no known cancer.
Potential participants will be asked questions to confirm their eligibility by a nurse navigator, study staff member, or physician.
Informed consent will be carried out for eligible subjects in accordance with applicable federal regulations and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)/Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.
Subjects will then complete a survey, and study staff will draw 60 mL of blood and measure the height and weight of the subject.
Where available, data from the medical records of the cancer subjects will reviewed and collected. In addition, non-cancer subjects will be requested to allow access to their medical records as an optional portion of their informed consent.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, observational study of 1,000 subjects with known or suspected cancer confirmed through pathology reports and/or clinical/radiographic data and 2,000 subjects with no known cancer. De-identified blood samples and clinical data will be collected from subjects to validate a classification algorithm for a new version of the CancerSEEK assay.
Potential participants will be asked questions to confirm their eligibility by a nurse navigator, study staff member, or physician to document screening including date of upcoming therapy or surgery for cancer patients if one has been scheduled, before providing informed consent to participate in the study. Study procedures outside of the pre-screening for eligibility will not be performed prior to the subject providing consent. Informed consent will be carried out in accordance with applicable federal regulations and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)/Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Prior to signing the informed consent form (ICF), potential participants will confirm that they understand the study and that they have no questions about the study.
The ICF may be offered by paper or electronically with the option to also review a paper copy provided by the nurse navigator or study coordinator either face-to-face on a tablet or via email. Potential participants will be given a phone number to call with any study specific questions. Copies of all signed consent forms will be stored centrally in a secure environment, and signed consent forms will thereby be available for verification by Thrive or its designee at any time.
Once the subject completes the survey, study staff will complete the blood draw and collect height and weight data. For some participants, their contact information and unique study identifier (ID) will be sent securely to a third-party vendor who will contact the subject within 24 hours to schedule the blood draw and height and weight measurements at a location convenient to the subject.
For all subjects, study staff and the third-party vendor performing the blood collection will verify the following before performing the blood draw and height and weight measurements: participant identity and age against a form of identification, that consent to participate has been given, that the participants in the cancer arm are still treatment naïve, and that they do not have a fever that could be caused by an infection. The blood collection vendor will ensure all required data are captured and included with the blood sample, that the sample is collected and packaged according to laboratory manual specifications, and that the sample is shipped to the indicated processing lab with the required expediency. Following all study visits, study staff and third party vendor staff will complete a visit checklist confirming all of the study activities that occurred.
Subjects in the Cancer cohort will be identified via nurse navigation, study staff or oncology physicians in local offices. The nurse navigator or study staff will verify eligibility through chart review and pre-screen, approach the subject about the study opportunity, and present the informed consent form. For participants enrolling electronically, participants will be presented with a secured tablet device on which the subject will watch a brief video about the study, read the informed consent and provide electronic consent. Some participants may also have the option of having the video, informed consent and survey emailed to them. Upon consent and enrollment, subjects will be assigned a unique subject study ID, which will be used to track the subject, their data and their biospecimen throughout study operations. Consented subjects will then be directed to complete a survey via the tablet device, email or paper. Participants will be allowed to skip questions in the survey or select the answer option "prefer not to answer." Subject data will be tracked in real-time by central study staff to ensure desired tumor type diversification and communicate enrollment strategy changes to the nurse navigators and study staff.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Cohort | – | –Subjects interested in the cancer cohort, will sign an informed consent, complete an optional survey, and have 60mLs of blood draw by a licensed phlebotomist. |
| Non-Cancer Cohort | – | –Subjects interested in the non-cancer cohort, will sign an informed consent, complete an optional survey, and have 60mLs of blood draw by a licensed phlebotomist. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- 3000 total subjects 2000 healthy volunteers 1000 cancer volunteers
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Age 50 or greater
- Ability to understand the nature of this study and give written informed consent
- Histologic diagnosis of cancer with no prior systemic or definitive therapy (any stage, including, inclusive of is-situ carcinoma)
- Or
- Subject with high suspicion of cancer through radiological and/or clinical assessment who are scheduled for resection or biopsy within 6 weeks of study blood collection and have not received prior systemic or definitive therapy.
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- ALL PATIENTS
- Evidence of active febrile infection prior to blood draw.
- Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- History of an allogeneic bone marrow, stem cell transplant, or solid organ transplant.
- Judgment by the Investigator or study staff of any other reason that would prohibit the inclusion of the subject in the study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Study Data and Samples Were Used for CancerSEEK Assay Development
Time frame: 6 months
The primary objective of the study is to collect blood samples from known cancer and non cancer participants. These blood samples were used to calibrate the CancerSEEK assay. There was no pre-defined performance threshold.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Jun 2024.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40525978Mayerhoefer ME, Kienzle A, Woo S, Vargas HA. Update on Liquid Biopsy. Radiology. 2025 Jun;315(3):e241030. doi: 10.1148/radiol.241030.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37851937Post C, Braun TP, Etzioni R, Nabavizadeh N. Multicancer Early Detection Tests: An Overview of Early Results From Prospective Clinical Studies and Opportunities for Oncologists. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Dec;19(12):1111-1115. doi: 10.1200/OP.23.00260. Epub 2023 Oct 18.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Dax Kurbegov, MD principal investigator
Sarah Cannon
14 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Early Cancer Detection, run by Exact Sciences Corporation at 14 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jun 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 14 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 18 Jan 2023). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Study Data and Samples Were Used for CancerSEEK Assay Development (time frame: 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04213326, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jun 2024.