NCT01247597 · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
DICER1-related Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Cancer Predisposition Syndrome: A Natural History Study
What this study is about
Background: \- Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare fast-growing lung tumor that is associated with other, rare tumor types. Most cases of PPB appear in children younger than 6 years of age. Recently, it has been shown that this condition can be inherited (e.g., mutation of the DICER1 gene). Researchers are studying both clinical and genetic aspects of this newly described condition.
View original scientific description
Background: \- Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare fast-growing lung tumor that is associated with other, rare tumor types. Most cases of PPB appear in children younger than 6 years of age. Recently, it has been shown that this condition can be inherited (e.g., mutation of the DICER1 gene). Researchers are studying both clinical and genetic aspects of this newly described condition. They are interested in collecting further medical history and genetic information on individuals and close relatives of individuals who have PPB or other rare associated tumors. Objectives: \- To study individuals with a personal or a family history of pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) or other rare tumors that can be associated with PPB (e.g., cystic nephroma, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, ocular medulloepithelioma). Eligibility: * Individuals who have been diagnosed with PPB and/or PPB-related tumors. * Close blood relatives (e.g., parents, siblings, grandparents) of individuals who have been diagnosed with PPB and/or PPB-related tumors. Design: * Interested participants can enroll or inquire about this study by calling 1-800-518-8474. * Participants will be asked to complete family history and medical history questionnaires. They will complete the questionnaire if they are at least 18 years of age, or another person will complete the questionnaire if the key family member is too young to do so on his or her own. * Participants will be asked to sign a medical record release form to allow researchers to examine detailed medical history information. * Participants may be asked to have a physical examination and imaging studies, provide blood and saliva samples, or provide tumor tissue from prior biopsies or cancer surgeries. * Annually, participants will update the family history and individual information questionnaires to document important changes in medical history, and will also update the medical record release form. Participants may be asked to provide additional cheek lining cells and/or blood samples, as well as tumor tissue from any new or planned biopsies or tumor surgeries. * Treatment will not be provided as part of this protocol.
Primary outcome measures
Psychosocial and Behavioral Issues
Time frame: On-going
To evaluate various parameters related to psychosocial and behavioral issues resulting from being a member of a family at increased risk of PPB.
Management Guidelines & Risk-reduction Strategies
Time frame: On-going
To develop evidence-based management guidelines for cancer prevention and risk-reduction strategies for PPB patients and their family members prior to and after obtaining answers to the questions/objectives above.
Genetic & Environmental Interactions
Time frame: On-going
To identify differences between patients with a germline mutation in DICER1 (or another gene(s) from this pathway) who do develop cancer and those who do not develop cancer. These differences may include genotype/phenotype/cancer susceptibility differences, modifier genes (gene-gene interactions) and environmental risk factors (gene-environment interactions). The latter two may be informative for modification of cancer risk in the general population.
DICER1-Related Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Cancer Predisposition Syndrome
Time frame: On-going
To establish a cohort of patients with PPB and/or specific neoplasms of the PPB spectrum (cystic nephroma, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell and other sex cord-stromal tumors, ocular medulloepithelioma, Wilms tumor, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, pineoblastoma, others to be defined), in order to determine the frequency of DICER1 germline mutations in these patients and their family members. This will also allow us to identify DICER1 mutation-negative patients who will be crucial for future gene discovery efforts.
Clinical Phenotype
Time frame: On-going
To characterize the clinical phenotype of, and study the incident and prevalent cancer rates in, these patients and their family members, for all cancers combined, and for each type of cancer, and to identify and confirm the specific types of cancer and benign neoplasms associated with this disorder.
Biospecimen Repository
Time frame: On-going
To create a biospecimen repository of carefully-annotated tissue samples for use in subsequent etiologically-oriented translational research projects. These samples comprise an invaluable resource for current and future studies related to the etiology of, and outcomes following, the various neoplasms that are now known, or later found to be, part of the PPB syndrome.
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
- All participants who meet the eligibility criteria outlined below will be eligible for inclusion in this study regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, or age.
- Affected individual is defined as:
- an individual with histologically-confirmed PPB and/or other DICER1-related tumors
- an individual with a known or suspected DICER1 disease-associated variant
- an individual from the general population with one or more of the unique tumors of the types associated with DICER1 including (but not exclusively), PPB, cystic nephroma, ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell and other sex cord-stromal tumors, ocular medulloepithelioma, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, Wilms tumor, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, pineoblastoma, pituitary blastoma, ovarian sarcoma, CNS sarcoma and/or thyroid cancer - regardless of their family history. Additional DICER1-related neoplasms may be identified in the future, and they will be added to the protocol as needed.
- Unaffected individual is defined as:
- a family member (such as parents, siblings, children, or extended family) of an affected participant without a known or suspected DICER1 disease-associated variant or condition and they will be controls. Other inclusion criteria include:
- All types and amounts of prior therapies are allowed.
- There is no age restriction.
- There is no restriction related to organ and marrow function.
- Ability of the individual or their legal guardian or appropriate surrogate to understand, and their willingness to provide informed consent. Neonates of affected individuals will be included in the Field Cohort and be eligible for genetic counseling, education, and testing, if indicated and consented by a parent/legal guardian/LAR. This is entirely a function of meeting the inclusion criteria and not being excluded by the
Exclusion criteria
- . In some instances, patients with histologically-confirmed PPB and/or another neoplasm within the DICER1-related tumor risk and their families will be referred to the Clinical Genetics Branch (CGB) by the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) / DICER1 Registry (IPPBR), provided that the family has previously or currently indicated a desire to be notified of such research opportunities. In non IPPBR-cases, the diagnosis will be confirmed by reviewing relevant medical records and relevant surgical pathology material. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Individuals and families referred for evaluation in whom reported diagnoses are not verifiable.
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Rockville, Maryland
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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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?
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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 Jul 8, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations