SOCS

Discovery of new therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer

The SOCS project aims to improve the understanding and treatment of colorectal cancer by following patients over time and collecting clinical information and biological samples. This long-term research programme helps scientists identify biomarkers that can predict how the disease will progress and how patients are likely to respond to different treatments. The project also investigates the role of the tumour microenvironment in order to identify novel therapeutic strategies, and develops patient-derived organoid models – miniature versions of a patient’s tumour grown in the laboratory – to test potential treatments. By combining clinical information with advanced molecular analyses, researchers aim to support the development of personalised treatment strategies and improve outcomes for people living with colorectal cancer.

About the study

Recruiting

Patients, Healthy Volunteers 18+ years

Oncological diseases

Locations

Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg – CHL Centre 4 rue Barblé
L-1210 Luxembourg

Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch – Esch-sur-Alzette 1 rue Emile Mayrisch
L-4240 Esch-sur-Alzette

Centre Hospitalier du Nord – Ettelbruck 120, avenue Salentiny
L-9080 Ettelbruck

+352 8166-1

Hôpitaux Robert Schuman (HRS) – ZithaKlinik 44 Rue d’Anvers,
L-1130 Luxembourg

Luxembourg Research Clinic (LRC) 6, Rue Nicolas-Ernest Barblé,
L-1210 Luxembourg

Contact

socs@lih.lu

+352 26970-400

Who can participate?

Eligible participants

You may be eligible to participate as a patient if you:

Are 18 years of age or older.
Have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) based on a biopsy or medical imaging.
Are scheduled to undergo surgery to remove your primary tumour or colorectal cancer metastases.
Are willing and able to provide written informed consent.

You may be eligible to participate as a healthy volunteer if you:

Are 18 years of age or older.
Are in good general health.
Are willing and able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

You may not be eligible to participate as a patient if you:

Are under 18 years of age.
Are pregnant.
Are unable to provide informed consent.
Are currently in prison.

You may not be eligible to participate as a healthy volunteer if you:

Are under 18 years of age.
Have a chronic medical condition.
Have taken antibiotics within the past 6 months.

Not sure about eligibility?

The study team will review each case individually to determine eligibility. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, do not hesitate to contact us.

What will participants do?

If you decide to participate as a patient, you will be asked to:

01.

Sign an informed consent form

This must be completed before any study procedures take place.

02.

Provide biological samples

The following samples will be collected during the inclusion visit:

A blood sample
A stool sample (optional)
A saliva sample (optional)

03.

Allow the collection of remaining tissue samples

Researchers may collect tissue samples remaining from your routine surgery or biopsy, if available. No additional surgical procedure will be performed for the study.

04.

Provide clinical information

This will include information related to your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

05.

Attend annual follow-up visits

These will take place for up to 5 years, during which your clinical information will be updated. Additional blood and stool samples may also be collected if they were not obtained during your inclusion visit.

For healthy volunteers, participation consists of a single study visit during which you will: