About the project
Study Co-leads
- Dr. Yvonne Bombard, St. Michael’s Hospital
- Dr. Raymond Kim, University Health Network
- Dr. Kasmintan Schrader, University of British Columbia
CHARM – which stands for Cell-Free DNA in Hereditary and High-Risk Malignancies – is a research initiative that collects longitudinal blood (plasma) samples, tumour tissue, genomic/epigenomic data, and clinical data on individuals with a hereditary cancer syndrome, regardless of personal cancer history.
The overall goal of this clinical trial (CHARM2) is to establish whether whole genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can detect cancer at the same time, or before, conventional annual medical exams for people at increased risk for cancer (e.g., Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC), Lynch Syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome).
The study team hypothesizes that:
- Testing of cfDNA more frequently than the current imaging-based screening protocols will result in detection of more cancers at earlier stages and improve medical management and quality of life for people with hereditary cancer syndromes.
- A programmatic approach to cfDNA testing will improve quality of life including increased patient empowerment and decreased distress, uncertainty and anxiety.
If successful, this study could impact individuals at high risk for many cancers, such as ovarian, breast, pancreatic, endometrial, colorectal, gastric or lung.
Recruitment is currently open.
The CHARM team is testing an experimental blood test for early cancer detection in people at hereditary risk for cancer. This blood test detects small amounts of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) from tumour cells. Image source: CHARM2 study brochure