Research into stomach cancer
Researchers around the world are looking at the causes, diagnosis and treatment of stomach cancer.
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for stomach cancer in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of the type of research in stomach cancer.
When in the trials database, click on both the recruiting and closed tabs at the top of the page.
Research and clinical trials
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:
- they work
- they work better than the treatments already available
- they are safe
Research into the causes of stomach cancer
Genes
Some people inherit gene changes that increase their risk of developing stomach cancer. Researchers are looking for genetic changes in people who:
- are diagnosed with stomach cancer at a young age
- have a family history of stomach cancer to see if they have genetic changes
How cancer develops
Doctors are looking at cell changes in pre cancer and cancer cells. They hope this will help them to understand more about the causes of stomach cancer. And help them find new treatments in the future.
Research into diagnosing stomach cancer
We know that it is easier to treat cancer if it is diagnosed early. Doctors are looking at better ways of diagnosing stomach cancer early. Research includes looking at:
- tests to identify who might have stomach cancer and needs further tests urgently
- tests that might detect stomach cancer at an early stage
- tools to help GPs decide who needs further tests or a specialist referral for stomach cancer symptoms
Trials are looking at different tests to see if they can diagnose stomach cancer. These include samples of of blood, poo and exhaled breath.
Gene tests before treatment
Researchers are looking at genes in stomach cancers. They hope this will help them work out which treatment is best for each person.
Research into treatment for stomach cancer
Chemotherapy
You might have chemotherapy before and after surgery. Or you might have it as your main treatment for advanced stomach cancer.
Researchers are looking at:
- how chemotherapy affects stomach cancer cells
- chemotherapy drugs that might cause fewer side effects
- combining chemotherapy with targeted drugs or immunotherapy to see if it works better
- chemotherapy for advanced stomach cancer
Targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy
Targeted cancer drugs work by ‘targeting’ those differences that help a cancer cell to grow and survive. Others help the body's immune system to attack cancer. They are called immunotherapies.
Researchers are looking at giving these drugs on their own or with chemotherapy. Examples include:
- trastuzumab
- rucaparib
- ramucirumab
- pembrolizumab
- nivolumab
- durvalumab
- avelumab
Some of these drugs are already used to treat other cancers, and some are new drugs.
Stopping cancer coming back
Research has shown that aspirin may lower the risk of dying from cancer. It might also lower the risk of some cancers spreading to other parts of the body.
A large Cancer Research UK trial is looking at whether aspirin can lower the risk of an early cancer coming back after treatment.
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