Clinical Research Directory

Evaluating the Implementation of a Comprehensive Multilevel Virtual Oncology Program Among Veterans Diagnosed With Lung, Colorectal, Prostate, and Breast Cancers in the US Department of Veterans Affairs

The objective of the pragmatic trial to test the effectiveness of an existing, ongoing clinical service, the VA National TeleOncology program (NTO), a multilevel telehealth population health management program. The primary aims are to study the intervention and determine its effectiveness on telehealth engagement, clinical quality, and healthcare cost outcomes across personal characteristics.

Effects of High-Fiber Diet on Gut Microbiota, Metabolism, and Immune Microenvironment in Solid Tumor Patients: A Clinical Study

Cancer remains a major global public-health challenge and a central focus of medical research. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 2020), 19.29 million new malignant tumors and 9.96 million cancer deaths occurred worldwide, \>90 % being solid cancers. Lung cancer alone accounted for 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths; \>75 % of patients were already at an advanced stage at diagnosis. Current options for late-stage solid tumors are limited: surgery is often impossible because of metastasis; cytotoxic chemotherapy produces dose-limiting toxicities (grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ myelosuppression 15-40 %, mucositis 50-80 %); radiotherapy risks pneumonitis (5-15 %) or enteritis (5-20 %) when tumors abut vital organs; targeted agents succumb to acquired resistance after a median 9-13 months; and immune-checkpoint inhibitors achieve \<40 % objective response with 7-15 % grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events. Dietary intervention is therefore emerging as a promising adjunct. Dietary fibre protects against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, yet intake is universally low. WHO and the Chinese Nutrition Society recommend 25-30 g total fibre per day (≈15-21 g insoluble), whereas Chinese adults consume only \~11 g insoluble fibre. High-fibre diets reshape gut microbiota, augment short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, strengthen intestinal barrier function, activate CD8⁺ T cells and dampen regulatory T cells, thereby enhancing anti-tumour immunity. A melanoma cohort showed improved progression-free survival under immunotherapy when fibre intake was high. Similar microbiota-immune axes may operate in colorectal and other solid cancers, but clinical data are scarce. We therefore propose a study to examine whether a high-insoluble-fibre diet (\>21 g/day) modulates gut-microbiota composition, metabolite profiles and peripheral-blood immune subsets in solid-tumour patients, and to evaluate consequent effects on treatment response and quality of life. The findings will clarify whether fibre-driven microbiota-immune crosstalk can be harnessed as a personalised nutritional strategy to improve cancer outcomes.

Virtual vs Physical Art Therapy for Anxiety, Psychological Well-being, and Sleep Quality in Colorectal Cancer Patients

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality-based art therapy and physical art therapy on anxiety, psychological well-being, and sleep quality in patients with colorectal cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy. A total of 78 patients will be randomly assigned to three groups: a virtual reality art therapy group, a physical art therapy group, and a control group. Participants in the intervention groups will receive art therapy sessions every two weeks for eight weeks (four sessions in total). Anxiety, psychological well-being, and sleep quality will be assessed using validated scales before the intervention and after the fourth session. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of non-pharmacological supportive care interventions for oncology patients.

Secondary Care Colorectal Cancer Pathway Review

Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) is the 4th most common cancer in Scotland. Approximately 4,000 cases are diagnosed annually. Cancer-related deaths in Scotland are higher than other UK nations. Improving the early detection of bowel cancer, and therefore survival, is important. The majority of bowel cancers are diagnosed within secondary-care (colorectal surgery unit). Upon GP referral to secondary-care, patients provide stool samples which are analysed for microscopic blood (FIT; faecal immunohistochemical test). Patients with a single positive result are more likely to have bowel cancer (0.2% risk if no blood detected, but 8.4% if detected). A positive test triggers further investigation, either CT scan or colonoscopy depending on the result. Currently, colonoscopy and radiology services throughout Scotland are under significant pressure causing delays. Only 2% of patients referred to secondary-care are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and most colonoscopies performed do not yield significant findings. We have shown that performing two repeated FITs upon referral improves cancer pickup rate (sensitivity) and reduces missed cancers. We successfully implemented this in NHS Lothian and contributed to national guidelines. This study will undertake a comprehensive retrospective review of the double-FIT urgent suspicion of bowel cancer pathway within NHS Lothian, from April 2022 (date of pathway inception) to August 2025, including around 25,000 patients that have been managed through the pathway. We will calculate key performance indicators and diagnostic accuracy of the pathway. Health economic analysis will determine cost-per-diagnosis. Risk factors for bowel cancer in this patient cohort will be identified to develop a support tool for primary and secondary-care. These results will be used to develop a future pathway to optimise pathway efficiency and cancer detection.

Study Comparing the Quality of Colon Cleanliness With Prepackaged LRD (Low-residue Diet) vs. Guided (POG).

Low-residue diet (LRD) in patient improves the quality of the colon cleanliness and thus the adenoma detection rate (ADR). This is a key criterion in colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer (CRC). The benefit of an LRD lasting more than 24 hours before colonoscopy has not been demonstrated compared to a 24-hour LRD. Few studies have evaluated the benefit of a prepackaged 24-hour LRD compared to simply receiving oral and written LRD instructions during a consultation. The aim of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of a prepackaged LRD (Colobox®) compared to simple LRD instructions on colon cleanliness (Boston score) in patients examined by endoscopy.

Effects of a WhatsApp-assisted Prehabilitation for Patient Undergoing Elective Colorectal Cancer Surgery

The goals of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and the effects of a WhatsApp-assisted prehabilitation for colorectal cancer patients undergoing elective surgery. The main questions are: If the digital prehabilitation is feasible and acceptable by the colorectal cancer patient prior to elective surgery? If this prehabilitation helps to improve the postoperative complications, length of stay, physical activity and psychological well-being for colorectal cancer patients receiving surgery. Researcher will compare the prehabilitation plus standard care to standard care only to see if the prehabiliation helps the colorectal cancer patients. Participants will: 1) enrolled in a approximate 4 weeks (3 episodes/ week) prehabilitation program containing educational information of colorectal cancer, dietary advice, exercises training and psychological podcasting. 2) will answer the survey weekly and after surgery. 3) keep the standard care as per department guidelines

Feasibility of Circulating Tumour DNA (ctDNA) Analysis Using Automated Capillary Blood Sampling

The goal of this observational study is to investigate whether circulating tumor-derived DNA (ctDNA) can be reliably detected and analyzed in blood obtained through automated capillary sampling in adult patients (≥21 years) with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The main question it aims to answer is: * Can ctDNA be detected in small volumes of capillary blood collected using an automated sampling device? * Do ctDNA levels measured in capillary blood agree with those measured in venous blood from the same patients? Researchers will compare ctDNA measurements from capillary blood to those from venous blood (reference standard) to see if capillary sampling provides reliable results for ctDNA analysis. Participants will: * Provide a small blood sample through automated capillary collection. * Provide a venous blood sample during the same study visit for comparison.

A Study of ABT-301 Plus Tislelizumab With Bevacizumab in pMMR/Non-MSI-H Locally Advanced or mCRC

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of ABT-301 in combination with fixed doses of tislelizumab 200 mg IV infusion and bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg IV infusion Q3W, in participants with pMMR/non-MSI-H colorectal cancer (CRC). It will also determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and select the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ABT-301. Participants will receive ABT-301 administered once daily (QD ±3 hours) or twice daily (Q12H ±3 hours, at least 9 hours apart) with water in 21-day treatment cycles. Tislelizumab 200 mg IV and bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg IV Q3W will be given in both parts of the study.

ColoSense Post-Approval Study

The post-approval study (PAS) described here will supplement existing data generated in the CRC-PREVENT clinical trial. The primary outcomes of this supplemental study will include: clinical sensitivity, clinical specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ColoSense.

Epigenetic Signature for CRC Early Detection

The epiCED is a noninvasive blood-based assay designed for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) using circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) epigenetic markers. This study leverages retrospective, multi-center cohorts of CRC patients and non-cancer controls to discover and validate a robust cfDNA methylation signature. Small-scale sequencing and machine learning-based modeling will be applied to identify a minimal panel of methylation markers that can accurately discriminate CRC from non-cancer individuals, including early-stage disease. The ultimate goal is to develop a clinically practical, noninvasive screening tool that enables population-level early detection and improves patient outcomes.

The Effectiveness of the mHealth Survivorship Program on Enhancing Health-related Quality of Life Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the mHealth survivorship program in enhancing health-related quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors. It is hypothesized that participants receiving the mHealth-based survivorship program will report significantly higher levels of health-related quality of life and a lower level of distress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and bowel dysfunction compared to those in the control group. Participants in the intervention group will: Use the survivorship programme through mHealth every day for 3 months Be called by the healthcare provider every 2 weeks for consultation Participants in the control group will receive the usual care

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer (SMARTi-RC01)

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if combining serplulimab (PD-1 inhibitor) with bevacizumab and short-course total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) works to treat locally advanced mid-to-low rectal cancer in adults. It will also learn about the safety of this combination. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does adding bevacizumab to serplulimab and TNT increase the complete remission rate (cCR + pCR) compared with serplulimab and TNT alone? What medical problems do participants have when receiving these treatments? Researchers will compare: Experimental group: serplulimab + bevacizumab + chemotherapy + short-course radiotherapy Control group: serplulimab + chemotherapy + short-course radiotherapy Participants will: Receive either the experimental or control regimen for about 4-5 months before surgery or a watch-and-wait approach if complete response is achieved Undergo treatment in cycles that include chemotherapy, immunotherapy (and bevacizumab if in the experimental group), and short-course radiotherapy Visit the clinic regularly for check-ups, blood tests, imaging, endoscopy, and to monitor side effects Be followed for up to 5 years after treatment to assess cancer control, organ preservation, and survival outcomes

Short-Term Nutritional Enhancement Combined With Health Education in Postoperative Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This clinical study aims to evaluate whether short-term personalized nutritional support, when combined with structured health education, can improve nutritional status, quality of life, and clinical outcomes in patients who have undergone surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and many patients experience malnutrition and poor physical condition during treatment, which can negatively affect recovery and long-term survival. In this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial, approximately 360 postoperative CRC patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of four groups: (A) nutritional enhancement combined with health education, (B) health education alone, (C) nutritional enhancement alone, or (D) standard care (control group). Nutritional support will include individualized diet counseling and oral nutritional supplements tailored to each patient's needs. Health education will be delivered using an "Internet Plus" approach, including weekly educational videos and expert consultations focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and mental health. The primary objectives are to determine whether these interventions can improve patients' short-term nutritional status and quality of life. Secondary outcomes include the impact of interventions on long-term survival, treatment-related side effects, patient adherence to nutrition recommendations, and psychological well-being. This study will also investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the clinical effects by analyzing changes in the gut microbiome, blood-based metabolic profiles, and immune responses. Blood, stool, and tumor tissue samples will be collected and analyzed using advanced techniques, including untargeted metabolomics, metagenomics, and single-cell sequencing. This trial is designed to provide evidence for the integration of nutritional strategies into routine cancer care, and to guide the development of more personalized, effective nutrition-based therapies for colorectal cancer patients. Participants will be followed for up to annually up to 5 years to evaluate both clinical outcomes and biological markers of response.