A Study to Explore Biomarkers in Samples of Blood, Urine, Stools, Hair Follicles and Saliva From Patients With Cancer

The goal of this observational study is to learn about biomarkers in patients with certain types of malignant solid tumours (cancer). The main intentions are to analyse changes in biomarkers before and after treatment, determine their relationship to how a tumour responds to treatment, and potentially identify new biomarkers or genetic markers to diagnose or predict disease.

Participants will be asked to provide additional samples of blood, urine, stools, hair follicles or saliva (depending on which type of cancer they have).

This is a study in patients with confirmed malignant disease (solid tumour) due to start anti-cancer therapy/radiotherapy or attending for clinical assessment. Patients will be asked to give additional blood, hair, urine or saliva samples for research compared to standard treatment in this proposal. Blood (25 mL) will be taken, once, prior to starting therapy (or at routine assessment). Further samples of 25 mL of venous blood will be taken at each subsequent visit for chemotherapy in patients who undergo chemotherapy treatment, and at fixed timepoints for those undergoing treatment with non-chemotherapy regimens.

These timepoints will coincide with routine hospital visits for disease assessment purposes for these patients and no additional visits will be required. Similarly, a 20 mL sample of urine will be collected at the above timepoints from patients with urological cancers. A 2 mL sample of saliva will be collected at the above timepoints from patients with head and neck cancers. Where possible 25 mL of venous blood will also be collected at each subsequent follow-up visit after completion of chemotherapy (other systemic therapies, or radiation therapy) until there is documented disease progression. Patient treatment, supportive care and disease assessment will be unaffected by participation in this study. Collected samples will be analysed for biomarkers (proteins or DNA from tumour cells sometimes detected in a sample of blood or urine) at the Translational Pharmacology Lab, University of Glasgow. These biomarker results will be compared with patient outcome (objective response and overall survival) with the aim of developing biomarkers that might help us to better select the type of chemotherapy regimen given to individual patients. For patients with breast cancer who will be treated in the neo-adjuvant setting, they will be asked to provide 3 stool samples (prior to treatment, halfway through treatment and at the end of treatment) to study changes to gut microbiota.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant disease (solid tumour) or a diagnosis of malignant disease made using recognised clinical criteria.
2. Patients who are attending for clinical assessments at presentation; during a routine hospital visit for anti-cancer therapy, radiotherapy, surgery, or for whom no immediate specific therapy is planned; or at a follow-up hospital visit.
3. Written informed consent.
4. Age ≥18 years.
5. Able to comply with study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

(1) Any evidence of any medical or psychiatric disorders that would, in the opinion of the investigator, be a contra indication to venesection, urine, stool or saliva collection.