Help researchers trial a new blood test that could detect secondary cancer early

What's the study about?

TRAK-ER is a clinical trial looking to see if a new blood test could help identify patients who are at a higher risk of their cancer returning. It works by looking for cancer DNA in the blood, which can sometimes be detected several months to years before secondary can be seen on a scan. 

The researchers are also testing whether treatment with palbociclib and fulvestrant is more effective at preventing cancer recurrence than standard hormone therapies for people who have had oestrogen receptor positive and HER2 negative breast cancer (ER+ HER2- breast cancer).

Who’s organising it?

Name of project lead: Professor Nick Turner

Organisation: The Royal Marsden Hospital

Who can take part? 

Please read the website for full details on the study to see if it's right for you.

You can take part if:

• You've had oestrogen receptor positive and HER2 negative breast cancer (ER+ HER2- breast cancer)
• You've previously undergone surgery to remove the tumour in the breast.
• You're taking hormone therapy to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

Why do you want me to be involved?

By taking part, you could help research determine whether they can more effectively treat cancer by picking up signs of future cancer recurrence very early. They also want to determine whether they can prevent the recurrence from happening in some people.

What will you ask me to do?

In the study, you'll have your blood tested every 3 months for 3 years. This is to look for cancer DNA to see if it's come back. If cancer DNA is detected, you'll have a scan to see if the cancer has come back. If no evidence of cancer is seen on the scan, you'll enter the treatment part of the study.

In the treatment part of the study, you'll either continue to receive standard hormone therapies, or you'll receive a combination of two drugs called pablociclib and fulvestrant. The researchers will then look to see if patients treated with palbociclib and fulvestrant are less likely to have a recurrence compared to people receiving standard hormone therapies.

How do I get involved?

If you're interested in taking part, you should ask your oncologist to make a referral to one of the cancer centres that is running TRAK-ER.

Find out more about the study.

When's the deadline?

There is no current deadline for this survey. It's ongoing.