Molecular Genetics Studies of Cancer Patients and Their Relatives

Launched by CITY OF HOPE MEDICAL CENTER · Dec 3, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Molecular Genetics Studies of Cancer Patients and Their Relatives," is looking into how both genetic and lifestyle factors might contribute to the development of certain cancers. Researchers want to understand how these factors can impact the outcomes for patients who have a personal or family history of cancer. The study is currently recruiting participants of all ages and genders who have had cancer themselves or have close family members with cancer, especially if there are signs that the cancer could be inherited. This might include situations like being diagnosed with cancer at a young age, having multiple types of cancer in the family, or having rare cancer types.

If you or a family member are interested in participating, you may be eligible if you meet certain criteria, such as having a personal history of cancer or being part of a group known to have a higher risk of genetic alterations. Participants can include adults and children (with parental consent), and even deceased individuals can be included if their family provides consent for medical records. Throughout the study, participants can expect to share their family history of cancer and may provide samples for genetic testing. This research aims to help improve our understanding of cancer and potentially guide future prevention and treatment strategies.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * Individuals must have a personal history of cancer and/or a family history of cancer suggestive of the presence of an inherited predisposition. This inherited predisposition might manifest as:
• • Young age cancer diagnosis
• • Multiple primary neoplasms in affected member
• • The presence of rare tumor types in the family
• • Congenital malformations
• • Any other family clustering of cancer
• • Any other cancer-predisposing genetic diseases/conditions
• • Individuals may also be eligible by participation in the City of Hope Cancer Screening \& Prevention Program Network (CSPPN) clinical service or on the basis of membership in a group known or suspected to have an increased risk of carrying a genetic alteration or of sustaining a particular exposure that would place that at increased risk of cancer. (Examples would include members of occupational cohorts like asbestos workers, individuals with multiple dysplastic nevi in the absence of a family history of cancer, and individuals descended from a particular tribe in the American Southwest who have an increased incidence of a rare genetic alteration associated with an increased risk of a specific cancer.)
• • Individuals and families may be referred to us in a number of different ways. After initial contact is made with a individual or family by family studies personnel; an individual within the bloodline will be identified as the historian. There may be more than one historian within a family
• • At least one historian must be wiling to provide information or access as needed to contact appropriate family members for documentation of cancer and for consent. An individual is considered to be eligible to participate if they criteria; contact with relatives is not always indicated
• • Individuals who are under 18 are eligible for study if they meet the criteria. Consent for participation must be given by a legal guardian or parent
• • Deceased patients may be included in the study. Public records, such as death certificates, can be used to confirm information from individuals or family members. If medical records are needed, consent for these records will be obtained from the deceased's next of kin. Next of kin refers to the following hierarchy of relatives; spouse, offspring, parents, and siblings. (Any further use of next of kin in this protocol should relate back to this hierarchy.) Archived tissue samples, such as pathology blocks or snap frozen tumor from a pathology department tumor bank (discard specimens) may be used for genetic research
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • A family may be ineligible for study if the historian will not allow access to anyone within the family and thus, the accuracy of the family history cannot be established