Prospective Procurement of Tumor Tissue to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets and Study the Tumor Microenvironment
Background: Many advances have been made in cancer treatments, but more research is needed. Comparing samples of cancerous tissue to samples of normal, noncancerous tissues may help find differences between them. These differences may help researchers find new ways to treat cancer.
Objective: To collect tissues and blood samples from people with known or suspected cancer. The samples will be used to help identify new targets for cancer treatments.
Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with a known or suspected cancer that requires surgery or biopsy.
Design: Participants will be screened. They will answer questions about their health. They can do this on the phone or in person. Researchers will collect information from participants medical records. Data may include information about any prior or current cancers. Data about other medical conditions may also be collected. Participants will have blood drawn. Some of the blood will be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C. Some of the blood will be used for genetic research. Participants will have tissue samples collected during surgeries or biopsies. These are procedures the participants would have had as part of their standard care. No new procedures will be done just for this study. Researchers may also seek out samples from prior procedures the participant had done. Participants will remain in the study for 6 months. They may have blood drawn again. Researchers may also collect tissue samples from any procedures performed during that time.
⁃ Age \>= 18 years
⁃ Willing to undergo serologic testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C
⁃ Participants who have a known or suspected cancer that requires surgery or biopsy as a part of the standard of care diagnosis, treatment and/or follow up.
‣ Note: Participants will not be enrolled exclusively for the procurement of tissue samples.
• Able and willing to sign an informed consent document.