Plain-English translation of NCT03803553 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.
After colon cancer surgery, doctors sometimes find tiny cancer cells floating in the bloodstream that are too small to see on scans. This trial tests whether giving FOLFIRI chemotherapy early—before cancer visibly returns—can stop it from coming back. The study will compare this approach to standard monitoring alone in patients whose blood tests show signs of remaining cancer cells.
Many people with Stage III colon cancer develop recurrent cancer even after standard treatment. Researchers believe that detecting and treating these microscopic cancer cells early, before they grow into visible tumors, could improve survival and prevent cancer from returning.
First, you will have blood tests and imaging to check if cancer cells are present in your bloodstream and to confirm you are eligible. If you qualify, you will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: some will receive chemotherapy infusions through a vein every two weeks for up to 6 months, while others will be monitored closely with regular scans instead. Throughout the study, you will have frequent clinic visits, blood draws, and imaging scans to track how well the treatment works.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 16, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States