Rapid Autopsy and Procurement of Cancer Tissue

Launched by NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) · May 8, 2013

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on collecting cancer tissue samples from patients who have lung cancer, tumors in the chest area, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, or those who have received adoptive cell therapy. The goal is to understand more about these cancers by studying the tissue soon after death. Participants will receive hospice care at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, where their cancer tissue will be collected through an autopsy performed within three hours after passing away. This study is strictly about gathering tissue samples, and participants will not receive any additional cancer treatments as part of it.

To be eligible for this study, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have a terminal diagnosis due to their cancer. They or their legal representatives need to agree to take part in the study and understand its purpose. It's important that participants also have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in place. The study aims to include a diverse group of participants, and those who are pregnant or known to be HIV-positive cannot join due to safety concerns. If you or someone you know is considering this study, it could provide valuable insights into cancer and help improve future treatments.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic NSCLC, SCLC, EPCC, pNET, thymic epithelial tumor (thymoma, thymic carcinoma) or mesothelioma confirmed by the NCI Laboratory of Pathology. Patients with bladder cancer (including urothelial carcinoma and other rare bladder or kidney histology), ovarian cancer, epithelial cancers (breast, colorectal, pancreatic, stomach and biliary cancers) and malignancies previously treated with an ACT are also eligible.
• • Age \>= 18 years.
• • Incurable disease or terminal diagnosis.
• • Patients or legally authorized representative (LAR) must sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study.
• • Patients must provide valid written designation of an assigned Durable Power of Attorney (DPA). If one is not available, an LAR must be assigned.
• • Patients and their legal next of kin must agree to a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and agree to Consent for Autopsy as part of the end-of-life care plan.
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Women known to be pregnant (known positive pregnancy test, although such testing is not required for enrollment) are excluded.
• • Known HIV-positive patients will be excluded (although HIV testing is not required for enrollment) because of the potential for contamination of tissue.