biopsies of cancer patients for tumor molecular characterization

Conditions: Cancer; Metastatic Cancer

Summary: in this research study, we are looking at performing a repeat biopsy of patients' tumors, even though they have already been diagnosed with cancer. the tumor tissue obtained from the biopsy will be studied to see what it looks like at the molecular (genetic) level. by conducting this study, we hope to learn more about how cancers work, why cancers respond to certain treatments, and how they become resistant to certain treatments. we also hope to demonstrate that biopsies like this can be performed safely in large numbers of patients. the research done on the tumor samples may help us identify which patients in the future are most likely to respond to new cancer therapies.

* in order to participate in this research study, participants must have already been diagnosed with cancer. the cancer must be located in a part of the body that is accessible for a biopsy and the doctor that will perform the biopsy must agree that the participant is a good candidate for biopsy. the biopsy will be done in the usual way, as part of your standard medical care. * after the biopsy, the participant will return to the clinic approximately one week later for a check on their status. at this visit participants will be asked questions about your post-biopsy health. we will continue to follow-up with the participants by phone or at subsequent clinic visits for one month following the biopsy. * the biopsy obtained will be studied in the translational research laboratory at massachusetts general hospital, where it will undergo a panel of genetic tests. these tests look to find out what is driving the cancer or making it tick. it is important to understand that the genetic tests we will do include a number of cancer related genes or proteins that may be important for making treatment decisions, either now or in the future. the test results may or may not show a finding that could affect the participant's treatment options. there will be no specific testing done for inherited genetic abnormalities, so undergoing this research will not give information about the risk of cancer for people in the participant's family. * if there is left-over tissue from biopsy, it will also be used to try to discover new findings about how cancers respond or become resistant to cancer treatments. these experiments will include trying to grow the cancer cells in a petri dish in the lab or trying to grow the cancer cells inside research mice to learn more about how the cancer works. this portion of the testing os part of the research study and is considered experimental, so the results will not be entered into the participants' medical record.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. patients must already be known to have metastatic, incurable cancer. 2. patients must have been referred for repeat tumor biopsy as part of standard care and biopsy must have been approved by the appropriate biopsy service (interventional radiology or surgery). such approval includes review of medical history and laboratory parameters as per standard care. 3. 18 years of age or older 4. patients must have previously responded to a molecularly-targeted therapy and subsequently developed resistance, or have an analogous clinical situation in which determining their molecular genotype is of interest clinically and/or scientifically. no specific exclusion criteria.

Keywords: biopsy tumor biopsy genetic studies