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RecruitingLast updated: 12 January 2026

DETECT-PM: Analysis of fluid taken during surgery for non-metastatic, locally advanced or perforated colon cancer to see whether it can predict the likelihood of cancer coming backExploring the Utility of Peritoneal Tumour DNA to Detect Clinically Occult Peritoneal Metastasis in Locally Advanced Colon Cancer (DETECT-PM) in adults

Trial purpose

Medical clipboardDiagnostic

Tumor type

Bowel Cancers Lower gastrointestinal tract

Age

People18+

Trial acronym

DETECT-PM

Clinical summary

Summary

The DETECT-PM study aims to determine the sensitivity and specificity of tumour DNA detection in peritoneal fluid collected at the time of surgery for non-metastatic locally advanced or perforated colon cancer to predict for peritoneal recurrence.

You may be eligible for this study if you have confirmed colon adenocarcinoma that is amendable to curative intent surgery. Your cancer should be cT4, N0-2, M0.

Study details
Blood samples will also be collected pre-surgery, 4-6 weeks post-surgery, 12 months post-surgery and at cancer recurrence (if applicable) for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) analysis.

Participants with non-metastatic resectable colon cancer who have a high risk of peritoneal recurrence, defined as those with perforation or clinical T4 disease will have peritoneal fluid collected at the time of surgery.

It is hoped that findings from this study will provide opportunity for earlier intervention to prevent peritoneal recurrence through the detection of clinically occult peritoneal metastasis.

Conditions

This trial is treating people with colon cancer that is locally advanced or perforated but not metastatic

Eligibility

Inclusion

 

• Histological confirmed colon adenocarcinoma that is amenable to curative intent surgery
• Evidence of perforation as determined by imaging or the surgeon at the time of resection. Perforation is defined as tumour perforation, perforation of the efferent bowel, or a peri-tumoural abscess.
• For patients without evidence of perforation, clinical T2-T4 tumour of the colon will be enrolled initially, but only those with clinical T4 disease at the time of surgery (as determined by the surgeon at the beginning of surgery) will be eligible for the study
• Staging imaging (CT +/- PET) within 8 weeks of surgery showing no metastatic disease.
• Patients with synchronous localised peritoneal metastatic disease (detected at the time of surgery) that is fully resected at the time of primary tumour resection will be allowed (maximum 10 patients)
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Patients with life expectancy of at least 2 years

Exclusion

 

• Patients with widespread or unresectable synchronous metastatic peritoneal disease
• Patients with a colorectal cancer metastases (non-peritoneal) - resectable and unresectable
• Patients with rectal cancer
• Patients treated with pre-op radiation or chemo-radiation
• Concurrent or previous other malignancy within 2 years of study entry, except curatively treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, prostate intraepithelial neoplasm, carcinoma in-situ of the cervix, Bowen’s disease or prostate cancer with a Gleason score =6.
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Medical or psychiatric condition or occupational responsibilities that may preclude compliance with the protocol

Inclusion

  • Your cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or has grown into nearby parts of the body (locally advanced).

Exclusion

  • You have been diagnosed with a prior or secondary type of cancer.
  • You have certain types of non-cancer medical conditions.
  • You have had certain treatments, surgical procedures or drugs.
Message

Clinical trials have complex eligibility criteria, and other criteria may apply for this trial. Ask your doctor about whether this trial could be right for you.

Participating hospitals

Recruiting hospitals

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More information

Trial Identifiers

Information on this page is partially produced from ANZCTR *. View further details about this trial on the registry via the links below:

Trial sponsor

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Scientific Title

Exploring the Utility of Peritoneal Tumour DNA to Detect Clinically Occult Peritoneal Metastasis in Locally Advanced Colon Cancer (DETECT-PM) in adults

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