NCT03300830 · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Molecular Characterization of Viral-associated Tumors, Tumors Occurring in the Setting of HIV or Other Immune Disorders and Castleman Disease
What this study is about
Background: A person s genome is the collection of all their genes. A gene instructs individual cells to make proteins. Proteins are involved in all of our body s chemical processes. Genome sequencing allows researchers to find variations in genes. Some of these are normal and are not known to cause disease. Some variants are known to cause or affect diseases like cancer.
View original scientific description
Background: A person s genome is the collection of all their genes. A gene instructs individual cells to make proteins. Proteins are involved in all of our body s chemical processes. Genome sequencing allows researchers to find variations in genes. Some of these are normal and are not known to cause disease. Some variants are known to cause or affect diseases like cancer. Researchers want to study genetic variants in people with cancer who also have an immunologic disease like HIV. Objective: To study the biology of cancer in order to improve ways to prevent, detect, and treat it. Eligibility: Adults at least 18 years old with certain cancers and/or immunodeficiencies Design: Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. Participants will give samples of one or more tissue type. They may give blood or urine samples. Researchers may get samples of tissue when participants have surgery or when the participants are on other protocols in the NCI. Participants may have a procedure to have tissue samples removed. Researchers may collect data from participant medical records. Researchers will compare the genes in a participant s cancer tissue to their normal tissue. They may use the tissue cells to grow new cells in a lab. Participants may be contacted about the results. The samples will be stored for future research. No personal data will be kept with them. ...
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Participants with one or more of the following:
- HIV or other acquired immunodeficiency and cancer
- Viral-associated cancer or cancer hypothesized to be caused by a virus
- HIV-negative participants with cancer that commonly occurs in people with HIV --KSHV-associated malignancy or related diseases, such as Multicentric Castleman Disease (MCD)
- A malignancy hypothesized to be caused by an endogenous retrovirus
- Idiopathic Castleman disease Cancer diagnoses will be confirmed by the NCI Laboratory of Pathology (LP). A biopsy will be collected if sufficient archival tissue is not available.
- Age \>=18 years.
- ECOG performance status \<=2 (Karnofsky \>=60%) if biopsy to be performed is solely for the purposes of this protocol. Any ECOG performance status will be allowed if biopsy required for participant care or another NIH protocol that allows lower performance status or if enrollment on this protocol is only for the purposes of studying tissue that has already been collected.
- Participants must have signed or be willing to sign an IRB-approved informed consent document that permits the use of the tumor and other samples for genomic-based molecular characterization projects. Telephone consent for use of archival tissue or tissue collected on another protocol or standard participant care will be permitted.
- Co-enrollment on other HAMB, NCI, or NIH protocols is allowed
Exclusion criteria
- Inability to provide informed consent.
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women will not be allowed to participate in this study because there is not a potential benefit.
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 24, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations