Plain-English translation of NCT04089631 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.
CIRCULATE is testing whether a simple blood test can help doctors decide who really needs chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery. The blood test looks for tiny pieces of cancer DNA (called circulating tumor DNA) that sometimes remain after surgery. If the test is negative, you may be able to skip chemotherapy; if it's positive, doctors will randomly assign you to either receive chemotherapy with or continue with close monitoring alone.
Not all patients with stage II colon cancer benefit from chemotherapy, and the medication can cause side effects. This trial aims to use a blood test to identify which patients actually need this treatment, so others can avoid unnecessary chemotherapy and its risks.
First, you'll have a blood test and tumor tissue sample taken within 5 weeks of surgery—this happens before you leave the hospital. Four to eight weeks later, you'll return to meet with a cancer specialist who will check your overall health. If you qualify, you'll be randomly assigned to either receive about 6 months of oral chemotherapy (, taken by mouth) or continue with regular follow-up appointments. The study team will monitor your health regularly over the following months and years.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice
Germany
Phase
Large-scale testing
Sponsor
Technische Universität Dresden
Enrollment target
~4,812 participants
Started
June 2020
Primary completion
June 2023
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in August 2020.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Gunnar Folprecht, Prof.
University hospital "Carl Gustav Carus" Dresden