Molecular Predictors of Cancer in Patients at High Risk of Lung Cancer

Molecular Predictors of Lung Cancer Behavior

RATIONALE: Using samples of blood, urine, sputum, and lung tissue from patients at high risk of cancer for laboratory studies may help doctors learn more about changes that may occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

PURPOSE: This research study is looking at molecular predictors of cancer in patients at high risk of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• To use fixed lung tissue for histological evaluation and fresh tissue samples for molecular studies to study DNA, RNA, and protein abnormalities in lung preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions.
• To use proteomic techniques, including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), to develop a method of diagnosing and staging both pre-invasive and invasive lesions, using less invasive methods.

OUTLINE: Blood, urine, nasal cell, and sputum samples are collected. Lung tissue samples are also collected using fluorescence bronchoscopy and epithelial cell collection.

Samples are studied by genetic and proteomic analyses, including comparative genomic hybridization, expression microarray, and protein profiling.

Inclusion Criteria:

-All adults referred to Vanderbilt Medical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, St. Thomas Hospital and Meharry Medical Center for evaluation of signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to provide informed consent
• Minors
• Pregnant women