The goal of this study is to understand the performance of an experimental blood test that aims to detect early tumors in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. If this new blood test is accurate, it could be used to screen patients for cancer and allow for earlier cancer detection. The study will compare cancer detection rates between those receiving the new blood test and those receiving standard care, assess if the test leads to earlier cancer diagnosis, and evaluate its impact on patient outcomes. The study will also use questionnaires and interviews to understand how patients feel about the blood test, its incorporation into routine medical care, and perceptions of the medical value of test results. This research could lead to more effective and less invasive cancer screening for high-risk individuals.
Through the CHARM Consortium (www.charmconsortium.ca), the investigators have shown that cell-free DNA (cfDNA) profiling can enable more frequent cancer surveillance from readily accessible blood collections. The investigators are now conducting a prospective, multi-center, randomized control trial of cfDNA testing of 1,000 HCS carriers from across Canada to 1) compare cancer detection rates with and without cfDNA testing, 2) assess cancer stage shift and clinical impact reducing mortality and morbidity cancers, and 3) assess impact of access to cfDNA results on patients' quality of life and psychological distress.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,000
Analysis of cell-free DNA in blood plasma will involve targeted sequencing of key cancer-related genes, cell-free methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing (cfMeDIP-seq), and shallow whole genome sequencing (sWGS).
BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGEastern Health
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGIWK Health Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGThe Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSinai Health System
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGUniversity Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGWomen's College Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGJewish General Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGDetermine the cancer detection rate of the cfDNA sequencing assay in patients with HCS.
The investigators will assess the performance of the cfDNA assay for cancer detection in patients with HCS, including assay sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV,) and negative predictive value (NPV). The test performance endpoint is a diagnosis of cancer and will be assessed at multiple points during the study (at a minimum yearly).
Time frame: 4 years from enrollment in the study.
To assess the time to cancer diagnosis using cfDNA sequencing compared to controls.
The investigators will establish whether blood plasma cfDNA testing can detect cancers at the same time as, or earlier, than conventional standard-of-care screening tests for carriers of HCS. The investigators will also assess the time to disease management in carriers receiving cfDNA sequencing results compared to controls.
Time frame: 4 years from enrollment in the study.
To assess the detection rate of cancers with no standard-of-care screening available using cfDNA sequencing.
To establish whether cfDNA testing increases the frequency of cancers detected, in particular cancer types with limited detection rates using standard-of-care (e.g., pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer).
Time frame: 4 years from enrollment in the study.
Assess the impact of tri-annual cfDNA testing on participant cancer worry.
The investigators will assess the impact of tri-annual cfDNA testing on participants' cancer related worry, using the Cancer Worry Scale (PMID: 19382100).
Time frame: 4 years from enrollment in the study.
Assess the impact of tri-annual cfDNA testing on cancer risk perception.
The investigators will assess the impact of tri-annual cfDNA testing on participants' risk perception, using the Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (PMID: 12433008).
Time frame: 4 years from enrollment in the study.
Assess the impact of tri-annual cfDNA testing on cancer anxiety and depression.
The investigators will assess the impact of tri-annual cfDNA testing on participants' anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (PMID: 18325093).
Time frame: 4 years from enrollment in the study.
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