Morecambe

Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) is a condition where cancer cells are found in the body but the original site where the cancer started is not known. It is the sixth leading cause of cancer death in the UK, with a poor outlook and median survival of 6 to 9 months. CUP occurs at a higher rate in the North West of England, and there is an urgent need to better understand its molecular features to develop new treatment options. Traditional treatment is limited because identifying the primary tumor site is difficult, and there is limited access to validated biomarkers. Liquid biopsies, which analyze DNA from a blood test, offer a promising way to detect these biomarkers. This study collects blood samples from participants to perform gene panel testing and other research analyses. Participants will provide blood samples on up to two occasions during the study to explore the usefulness of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) molecular profiling in CUP. The study plans to recruit participants for 33 months, followed by a 12-month follow-up period or until December 1, 2027, whichever comes first. Participants will be monitored through clinical assessments and molecular testing of blood samples to evaluate the potential role of liquid biopsies in understanding CUP. Researchers will use the information from gene panel testing to measure the utility of cfDNA profiling for this cancer type. The total time commitment includes the recruitment phase and the follow-up period to gather data on outcomes and safety.