NIH Clinical Research Studies

Protocol Number: 78-C-0039

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

Title:
Clinical, Laboratory, and Epidemiologic Characterization of Individuals and Families at High Risk of Cancer
Number:
78-C-0039
Summary:
This is a clinical, epidemiologic, genetic, and laboratory study of individuals and families at high risk of cancer and selected tumors to investigate the genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures which may alter cancer risk. Families with multiple members who have an unusual pattern or number of cancers or tumors are evaluated clinically. This evaluation is specific for the type of cancer or tumor predominant in the family in order to determine the affection status of each individual for genetic epidemiologic studies. Genetic and environmental risk factor information specific for the tumor type is obtained.

Individuals with, or at high risk of, cancer because of their personal, familial, or environmental histories are identified by healthcare worker referral or by personal inquiry. Relevant etiologic risk factor information is documented through review of pathology specimens and medical, vital, and genealogical records. Selected individuals and family members are asked to complete questionnaires and to undergo clinical evaluations specific for the tumor of interest. They are also asked to donate biologic specimens to be used in the search for cancer etiology and mechanisms of carcinogenesis. No therapy beyond counseling and education for cancer prevention, risk reduction, and early detection will be given.

Genetic testing for tumor susceptibility gene(s) mutations and risk notification will be offered to study participants for whom a specific mutation predictive of disease has been identified in his/her family. This testing will only be offered when reasonable individual cancer risk estimates can be delivered, and only to those participants who choose to know their individual genetic status after appropriate education and counseling. The testing will be conducted exclusively in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-licensed laboratories. Genetic testing and risk notification are entirely optional and do not affect participation in other aspects of the protocol. A separate consent procedure and consent form will be used for genetic testing and risk notification related to these specific genes.

Once enrolled, study participants are monitored prospectively for the development of outcomes of interest, typically by means of periodic mail or telephone contact. In selected instances, subjects may return to the Clinical Center periodically for study-specific follow-up examinations. Although we do not offer specific anti-cancer therapy as part of this protocol, we provide assistance to insure that study participants who require treatment for tumor-related problems that develop during the course of the study are referred to appropriate healthcare providers. We remain available to study participants and their healthcare providers for advice and consultation related to the management of familial cancer/tumor predisposition.

Sponsoring Institute:
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: No
Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

On referral, persons of any age will be considered for the inclusion in the study because of either:

a family or personal history of neoplasia of an unusual type, pattern, or number; OR,

known or suspected factor(s) predisposing to neoplasia, either genetic and/or congenital factors (birth defects, metabolic phenotype, chromosomal anomalies or Mendelian traits associated with tumors), environmental exposure (medications, occupation, radiation, diet, infectious agents, etc.), or unusual demographic features (very young age of onset, multiple tumors, etc.).

For familial neoplasms, must have two or more living affected cases among family members are required.

The type of familial tumors that we are currently actively accruing include:

Familial Cancers: bladder, brain, chordoma, lung, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCC).

Familial Benign Neoplasms: meningiomas, neurofibromatosis 2 (bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Referred individuals and families for whom reported diagnoses cannot be verified.

Inability to provide informed consent.

Eligible for familial melanoma, lymphoproliferative, breast-ovarian cancer, or testicular cancer protocols.

Pregnant women are ineligible for the parts of the protocol that involve exposure to ionizing radiation or magnetic fields

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided
Keywords:
Familial Malignancies
Genetic Predisposition
Cancer-Prone Individuals
Recruitment Keywords:
None
Conditions:
Hereditary Neoplastic Syndrome
Neoplasm
Investigational Drug(s):
None
Investigational Device(s):
None

Contacts:
Stephanie Steinbart, R.N.
Westat Office
WRIT, Room 400
6110 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (800) 518-8474
Fax: (301) 881-1463
Electronic Address: stephaniesteinbart@westat.com

Citations:
Kelley MJ, Korczak JF, Sheridan E, Yang X, Goldstein AM, Parry DM. Familial chordoma, a tumor of notochordal remnants, is linked to chromosome 7q33. Am J Hum Genet. 2001 Aug;69(2):454-60. Epub 2001 Jul 10.

Zhao Y, Kumar RA, Baser ME, Evans DG, Wallace A, Kluwe L, Mautner VF, Parry DM, Rouleau GA, Joe H, Friedman JM. Intrafamilial correlation of clinical manifestations in neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2). Genet Epidemiol. 2002 Oct;23(3):245-59.

Taylor MD, Liu L, Raffel C, Hui CC, Mainprize TG, Zhang X, Agatep R, Chiappa S, Gao L, Lowrance A, Hao A, Goldstein AM, Stavrou T, Scherer SW, Dura WT, Wainwright B, Squire JA, Rutka JT, Hogg D. Mutations in SUFU predispose to medulloblastoma. Nat Genet. 2002 Jul;31(3):306-10. Epub 2002 Jun 17.

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

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