Molecular Characteristics of Tumor Cells

Summary

We propose to analyze single tumor cells by isolating them from the circulation through simple blood draws, to obtain touch preps (imprints of tumor material on glass slides) from tumor specimens obtained at the time of routine surgery, and to obtain bone marrow which is routinely removed from the proximal or distal metaphysis during hip replacement. We will also obtain material from patients who are undergoing routine diagnostic procedures including pleural or peritoneal effusions. Any given patient could provide more than one kind of sample, such as blood and tumor tissue, depending on their clinical course and diagnostic tests required for routine management. During this pilot phase, we will develop a database of patient characteristics and assay results in order to refine assay methodology and to perform exploratory statistical tests that will allow us to design and conduct more focused correlative studies in the future.

Participant Eligibility

Three categories of subjects will be included:
1. Active Cancer: Persons with a known, documented current diagnosis of carcinoma at any stage.
2. “Dormant”: Persons who had carcinoma 5 or more years ago and currently have no evidence of disease (cancer).
3. Normals: Persons who have never had any kind of cancer.

All subjects must be non-pregnant and weigh at least 110 pounds.
All active cancer patients and “dormant” subjects must have available medical records of prior diagnosis and treatment.
All subjects must have the ability to understand and sign the consent form and be between 18 and 90 years old.
All racial and ethnic groups will be included.