Active clinical trials for "Neoplasms"

The tumor associated CA-125antigen for diagnosis and follow-up of ovarian cancer was well defined. Increased serum CA125 level may have many diagnoses other than ovarian cancer, including breast, colorectal and lung cancer. 80% lung cancer patients were diagnosed at advanced stage. Malignant pleural effusion secondary to lung cancer represented the condition of cancer cell involved pleura. The CA-125 level may reflect the extent of tumor involved in pleura (tumor burden), it could be correlated with the prognosis. This study was performed to examine the properties of CA-125 by measuring pleural and blood CA-125 levels in lung cancer with or without malignant pleural effusion; meanwhile to examine whether the rate of decline in CA 125 during primary therapy as a surrogate indicator for survival.

Esophageal carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Surgical resection remains the most effective method for this malignant disease. VATS esophagectomy has become more and more popular in China and around the world. Although VATS esophagectomy has been proven to be effective in preventing respiratory complications, there is still no ample evidences to demonstrate that VATS esophagectomy is as effective as traditional three-incision esophagectomy in lymph node dissection and is equal or superior in long-term survival. The purpose of this large scale prospective observational study is to compare the minimally invasive thorascopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy with traditional three-incision esophagectomy in lymph node dissection, postoperative recovery, postoperative complications, and long-term survival.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite the recent advances in the treatment of HCC, the prognosis of HCC is still poor even after curative treatment. Performance status has shown to be associated with long-term survival and prognosis in patients with HCC, and it is one of the important factors in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. Recently, the researches on health-related quality of life (HRQL) of cancer patients have been progressed. The most widely used surveys to assess HRQL of cancer patients are Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Generic (FACT-G) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30. Since those two are mainly about cancers in general, HCC specific surveys were developed. The FACT-Hep questionnaire has 45-items specifically focusing on patients with hepatobiliary cancers. EORTC QLQ-hepatocellular carcinoma 18 (HCC 18) is an 18-item questionnaire designed to be used along with the EORTC QLQ-C30 for patients with HCC. An 18-item National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-FACT Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Symptom Index (NFHSI-18) is a specific questionnaire for advanced hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. However, there is no consensus whether it would be appropriate to adopt HRQL as a prognostic variable in HCC staging system. Moreover, there is limited information available about the impact of patients' HRQL on long-term outcome in patients with HCC. Thus, in this study, the researchers will investigate whether HRQL can be an important factor in HCC staging system by testing the reliability and clinical validity of FACT-Hep, EORTC QLQ-HCC18, and NFHSI-18. Second, the investigators will evaluate the relation of HRQL with treatment efficacy, recurrence and survival outcome. Lastly, the investigators will suggest the suitable questionnaire module for patients with HCC.

To compare EGFR mutations between primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours and corresponding CTCs isolated by a label-free microfluidic device-based system To characterize the association between clinical response in NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib and serial changes in CTC EGFR mutations detected by a label-free microfluidic device-based system The investigators recently developed a label-free, microfluidic device for capturing circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and acquired a Fluidigm Biomark digital PCR instrument for reliable low-level DNA quantification. The overall aim of this study is to test the feasibility of using these state-of-the-art devices to reliably detect clinically relevant EGFR mutations in CTCs.

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and 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 doctors predict how well patients will respond to treatment. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at biomarkers in predicting response in patients with advanced ovarian epithelial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer.

The main objective of this project is not only a better understanding of the human leukemic disease but also to find new anti-leukemic or improve existing ones. This study has, the following aims: To analyze the genetic and epigenetic regulation of the retinoic acid induced cascade which leads to the expression of TRAIL in blood cells of patients with acute leukemia. This study will be complemented by the analysis of global gene expression (DNA chips) and of the DNA methylation state, and by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiences. To determine the efficiency of inhibitors of enzymes responsible for the modification of chromatin (existing and new developments within the European consortium EPITRON coordinated by Dr Gronemeyer) as inducers of differentiation and / or apoptosis of leukemic blasts. To explore Ikaros genic and functional abnormalities (genomic deletions, mutations, abnormal transcripts and proteins) in acute leukemia. The aim is to determine if these abnormalities may play a prognosis role.

It is a phase II , multicenter, open label clinical trial. Only the relapsed DLBCL patients after 1st line induction treatment of 6~8 cycles of RCHOP-like chemo will be enrolled to receive 3 cycles of RICE as salvage therapy. After treatment each patient should be followed up for 2 years.

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and 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. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at blood and tissue samples from patients with larynx cancer, pharynx cancer, or oral cavity cancer.

The goal of this research study is to better understand the symptoms experienced by patients with GIST. There are 3 parts to this study. In Part 1, participants will complete 1 set of interviews and questionnaires about GIST symptoms. In Part 2, the importance of some symptoms to patients with GIST will be rated by doctors, nurses, patients, and family caregivers. In Part 3, participants will complete questionnaires about GIST symptoms over 1 year. You are being asked to take part in Part 3 of the study.

The purpose of this study is to implement a community-based combined program for early detection of breast, cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer in low-resource countries delivered through a free standing or a mobile Well Woman Clinic. The goals of this program are to downstage cancers and improve mortality rates using low-cost early detection methods. These programs will be implemented in regions where early cancer detection strategies are not in place and cancers present at advanced stages with resultant high mortality. Currently, there are three target project sites: Cambodia (June 2011), India (June 2011), and Brazil (March 2011). Memorandums of Understanding have been secured with local health organizations in each region to establish clinic operations. Each clinic would serve an approximate target population of 100,000 amongst whom about 12,000 eligible women (4-5,000 annually) will be invited to be screened for breast and cervical cancer over a three-year time span.