Active clinical trials for "Neoplasms"

This study is being done in order to better understand the biology of an abnormal lesion found in breast tissue called "lobular carcinoma in situ" (LCIS). We are interested in studying LCIS. The LCIS is not a cancer itself, but is a marker for an increased risk of cancer. We would like to look for LCIS in breast tissue removed during surgery from patients with cancer or at high risk for cancer. If LCIS is found, we will search for genes that are expressed (turned on or off) differently than in normal breast tissue. The identification of such genes would help us better understand the biology of LCIS, and its possible relationship to breast cancer.

This proposed study will use previous study results to guide the development and evaluation of interventions to improve CRC screening acceptance. The proposed study will evaluate the impact of three interventions to promote CRC screening among siblings in this increased-risk group, who are not currently compliant with CRC screening guidelines: 1) a generic print intervention; 2) a tailored print intervention, and; 3) a tailored print plus tailored telephone counseling intervention.

Dr. Burbelo and colleagues have developed a technique for rapidly and quantitatively detecting antibody responses in sera to a variety of pathogens using recombinant proteins. We would like to apply this technique to develop an assay for detecting antibodies to HHV-8 (KSHV, the etiologic agents of Kaposi's sarcoma, an AIDS-defining condition). We initially plan to examine samples from patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, since all those patients are almost certainly infected with HHV-8. We are thus using samples from patients with previously diagnosed Kaposi's sarcoma. The samples in question are stored at the NCI FCRF repository operated by SAIC Frederick or in Rockville, MD.

A previous preliminary study performed at Vanderbilt University with funding from the Leukemia Society of America demonstrated that the response of leukemia cells in vitro to the chemotherapeutic agent idarubicin in the microculture kinetic assay for apoptosis (MiCK assay) predicted survival in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this previous study, achievement of complete response (CR) to induction therapy with idarubicin and cytarabine was used as the clinical indicator for determining whether leukemia specimens taken prior to treatment were sensitive or not sensitive in the MiCK assay. This group of patients has been followed for 7 years and their long term survival rates show that their responses in the MiCK assay to idarubicin but not cytarabine predict survival. In the present proposal a separate group of patients with newly diagnosed AML will be recruited to provide leukemia cell samples that will be used to establish criteria for sensitivity and non-sensitivity to idarubicin and cytarabine in the MiCK assay. The achievement of CR will be used to determine in vitro sensitivity as it was done in the previous study. With the in vitro sensitivities as determined in this proposed study, the long term survivals of patients in the previous study will be analyzed prospectively. The proposed study is expected to have an approximate duration of one year. Patient population will include newly diagnosed AML patients with both de novo AML and AML arising from a previously diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome. The study will not include patients with previously treated leukemia that has relapsed

SGO Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Data Outcomes Project.

Changes to taste and smell have been reported in head and neck cancer patients who undergo radiation and chemotherapy. This may cause food to be unappealing and can lead to a reduced food intake. Thsi study will increase our understanding of taste and smell changes and how it relates to food and taste preferences.

The purpose of this study is to validate a score developed by the AGO-OVAR for complete resection of the tumor

Long-Term Objectives: To establish an ongoing national research registry of epidemiologic, clinical and pathologic data on low grade and low malignant potential (LMP) ovarian cancer patients in UTMDACC's Department of Gynecologic Oncology for research purposes. To create a bank of low grade and LMP ovarian cancer tumor blocks for study of the molecular and histopathologic differences among low grade ovarian cancer, ovarian LMP tumors and high grade ovarian cancer. To specify the epidemiologic and clinical profile of low grade and LMP ovarian cancer patients. To identify potential precursors of low grade and LMP ovarian cancer. To assess treatment patterns to guide management of these diseases. To collect quality of life and health outcomes data on these patients. To achieve a fundamental understanding of low grade and LMP ovarian cancer that will inform prevention and screening efforts, motivate development of improved treatments and eventually result in a cure. The short-term objectives are: To detail procedures for potential registrant identification and recruitment. To create a demographic and health history questionnaire for potential registrants. To begin aggregating low grade and low malignant potential ovarian tumor blocks. To specify a timeline for the development of all other aspects of the Registry.

During the course of a case-control study of melanoma conducted at the Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy in the years 1994-1996, 20 families with 2 or 3 melanoma cases were identified and studied. The area where the study was conducted showed the steepest increase in melanoma incidence in Mediterranean populations between the years 1987 and 1997. Clinical characteristics of melanoma in the families studied were similar to those typically described in fair-skinned populations, but no relevant mutations in the coding regions of known candidate genes from melanoma have been found. Lack of findings could be due to the modest number of families and the small number of affected CMM cases examined. We cannot exclude the possibility of alterations in introns, splicing sites or promoter regions. Also epigenetic factors could affect the expression of the gene products we studied. Alternatively, germline alterations of a gene(s) other than the candidate genes we analyzed may play an important role in melanoma predisposition in this population. A large number of families is needed to test these hypotheses. These additional families could provide an important contribution to the understanding o melanoma development. In fact, this population does not generally have the host characteristics that are usually associated with higher risk for melanoma (e.g., light skin color, red hair, blue eyes, multiple freckles, tendency to sunburn, etc.) but do have a relative high frequency of dysplastic nevi and melanoma. The main objective of this study is to recruit more families at the Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy in order to reach a larger sample size. Recently, 16 potential melanoma-prone families have been identified through patient's or physicians' referrals by the Dermatologists at the Bufalini Hospital. The dermatologists have maintained close relationships with members of these families and are confident that these subjects would be willing to participate in a study if contacted. The first goal of our study is to contact this family group and verify their willingness to participate in the study. In addition, new families could be identified and recruited. We propose to conduct a pilot project. We estimate recruitment of approximately 25 families with 2 or more melanoma cases in first -degree relatives over a one-year period, including the 16 families already identified and approximately 10 new kindreds. At the end of the pilot phase we will determine the feasibility of continuing recruitment.

This study will identify chemical and protein markers in the blood of people who carry the human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), a virus associated with various pathologies, including an increased risk in adults of a rare and aggressive cancer called adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). The study will also examine differences in these markers before and after the onset of ATL. ATL has been reported in every area where HTLV-1 is common, including the Caribbean and parts of Japan, West Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Pacific Melanesia. Risk factors for the disease are largely unknown and seem to vary among those affected in different endemic regions. People who acquire the infection early in life are thought to be at higher risk than those who are infected later. In Japan, men seem to be at greater risk than women, but the same is not evident among the black population in the Caribbean and Brazil. Findings from this study will increase understanding of the cause of ATL and identify differences in tumor characteristics and the course of disease across geographical areas. Study subjects are drawn from among participants in eight studies of HTLV-1 carriers, including the 1) Jamaica Mother-Infant Cohort Study, 2) Jamaica Family Study, 3) Jamaica Food Handlers Study, 4) Miyazaki Cohort Study in Japan, 5) Nagasaki Cohort Study in Japan, 6) Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease, 7) HTLV Outcome Studies in the United States, and 8) GIPH Cohort Study in Brazil. Stored blood samples previously collected from patients in the above studies who did and did not develop ATL will be analyzed for immunologic and genetic factors.