Active clinical trials for "Neoplasms"

The studied materials contains surgically specimens of two groups of patiens with non-small cell lung cancer who have received two regimens of induction (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy before tumor resection. Pathological specimens of pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy whatever retrievable will be collected. The protein ad RNA expression of DNA repair genes (ERCC1, ERCC2, XRCC1, XRCC3, BRCA1 and RRM1) as well as DNA polymorphisms of these genes will be studied, and will be correlate with the treatment response and outcome of the patients. The aims of this study include: To identify the expression status of the above DNA repair genes in Taiwanese NSCLC patients. To correlate the expression, as well as DNA polymorphism of each DNA repair gene in treatment response to two differenct chemotherapeutic regimens. To correlate the expression, as well as DNA polymorphism of each DNA repair gene in the outcome of stage III NSCLC patients. To explore whether platinum based chemotherapy will change the expression status of DNA repair gene and if indeed changed, whether this would influence the outcome of the patients

This is a Two-part Pilot Study: Part 1 is descriptive and Part 2 is a pilot randomized trial. Part 1 will be a formative study in which individual interviews are conducted with 20 patients previously diagnosed with colorectal cancer. During open-ended interviews, researchers will collect data on QOL issues colorectal cancer patients face and will elicit feedback regarding development of and participation in a pilot expressive disclosure intervention. Patients also will pilot test an assessment procedures including completing the written questionnaires and wearing the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR). Part 2 will include a small randomized pilot test in which 44 patients (two cohorts of 22 patients) will be randomly assigned to the Expressive Disclosure Group Program or a Standard Care Control Group. Aims of the study include: To conduct a descriptive study of colorectal cancer patients, through qualitative interviews and standardized questionnaires, in an effort to assess their QOL, specific health and emotional problems, issues related to social functioning, and preferences regarding intervention format and logistics. To use the information from the descriptive study to develop an Expressive Disclosure Group Program for colorectal cancer patients. To pilot test a novel technology called the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) for assessing cognitive processing and social support in colorectal cancer patients and compare these data to those obtained with traditional self-report measures. To pilot test the Expressive Disclosure Group Program and conduct process evaluation including rates of recruitment and retention, attendance, satisfaction, barriers to participation, and feasibility of randomization. To explore the effects of the Expressive Disclosure Group Program on outcome variables of QOL and psychological functioning and mediating variables of cognitive processing, coping skills, and social support.

The aim of this study is to evaluate if Electromagnetic navigation (ENB) in combination with rapid on site evaluation (ROSE) can improve diagnostic accuracy in those patients who fail to be diagnosed with conventional fluoroscopic assisted bronchoscopy (FBS) in combination with ROSE.

Identification of alterations potentially involved in the complex mechanisms of leukemogenesis and at the identification and validation of novel biological factors which may serve as predictors of drug-response and drug-resistance or which may be suitable for targeted therapy.

To establish a retrospective compilation of clinical, histopathological, treatment and follow-up (clinic pathological) data of previous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. To establish a prospective collection of clinic pathological information from NSCLC patients with corresponding blood and tissue samples To discover and validate molecular biomarkers of survival and treatment outcome in NSCLC One of the current difficulties in the management of lung cancer is the decision to treat and the type of treatment to select. Thus there is a need for additional prognostic (indicative of disease aggressiveness) and predictive (indicative of likely response to treatment) markers for lung cancer. To conduct a successful prognostic and predictive marker program, several factors are required, including: a comprehensive database linking clinical, histopathological, treatment and outcome characteristics of each case, a collection of samples linked to the database that is suitable for the testing of candidate markers, and a multi-disciplinary, interdepartmental level of expertise in the management of lung cancer. Objective 1: A review of the case records will be conducted to extract clinical, treatment and follow-up data Objective 2: Patients aged 21 years or more with newly diagnosed, untreated non-small cell lung cancer shall be approached for consent. Patients will be identified through the pathology records, and from the study investigators' clinic. After subject consent, baseline characteristics will be obtained. Follow up data on therapies received and toxicities encountered will be obtained. Tumor samples will be obtained only from patients with NSCLC undergoing surgery as part of routine clinical care. The surgical specimen will be sent to Pathology to verify the adequacy of the diagnostic sample as per usual practice. Blood will be collected at the baseline (or prior to any anti-cancer treatment) and will be sampled again at the time of relapse or disease progression. Collection will entail drawing 7ml blood into a Vacutainer CPT tube (Becton Dickinson, USA), centrifugation, extraction of a separated layer of mononuclear cells (MNC), labeling followed by storage below -80oC. The frequency of blood drawn will be about 1-5 times (7-35mls total). The number of times depends on whether the lung cancer relapses and in the advanced stage, how often the lung cancer relapses after treatment. DNA and RNA will be extracted by CSIS and stored in freezer space there. Stored samples will be used for investigation of prognostic and predictive markers of outcome and for discovery of novel molecular alterations Objective 3: Biomarker analysis of tumor and blood. Blood will be enriched for circulating tumor cells (CTC) using previously optimized methods (11) and DNA will be extracted from CTC and tumor using the Tri-Reagent (Molecular Research Center, Cincinatti, OH). DNA will be extracted from tumor, CTC and mononucleated cells and tested for somatic lung mutations by sequencing (2). Germline DNA will be analysed for genes linked to genetic risk for NSCLC and, for treatment toxicities, for genes related to NSCLC chemotherapy metabolic pathways. Tissue microarray (TMA) is a high-throughput method of analysing large numbers of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor at a minimal cost and effort. To analyse the expression of proteins of putative relevance to EGFR function, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, metastasis, and hormonal, TMA will be utilised. PTEN and C/EBPa will also be analysed.

RATIONALE: Collecting and storing samples of tissue, blood, and saliva from patients with cancer to test in the laboratory may help the study of cancer in the future. PURPOSE: This research study is collecting blood and tissue samples from patients with stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, or gastroesophageal junction cancer, studying them in the laboratory, and storing them for future studies.

Radical surgery. It is supposed to improve prognosis of colon cancer. A surrogate measure of achievement of radical surgery is the number of lymph nodes removed with the specimen. Markers. There may be variables that may make patient assessment more sound. The project is including investigation of such markers (genes, old age, comorbidity, and others). Laparoscopic resections. This is being used more and more in cancer surgery but the feasibility of this approach remains to be proven compared with conventional open surgery. The project compares these according to 1) and 2). Morbidity and mortality must be surveilled to keep at a minimum. Many patients have comorbidity and are old to make this factor extra important, including perioperative care. Proper treatment of colon metastases may prolong life. Treatment of lung-metastases will be studied in particular.

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and bone marrow in the laboratory from patients at risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to disorders of the blood and bone marrow. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at biomarkers in patients at risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome or other disorders and in healthy participants.

RATIONALE: Studying levels of mesothelin and osteopontin in samples of blood from patients with mesothelioma or atypical mesothelial hyperplasia may help doctors identify biomarkers related to cancer. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at mesothelin and osteopontin as diagnostic markers in patients with mesothelioma or atypical hyperplasia.

RATIONALE: Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help the study of cancer in the future. PURPOSE: This laboratory study is looking at tumor tissue samples from patients with melanoma who have undergone sentinel lymph node biopsy.