Molecular Genetics Study of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Characterization of NCP Susceptibility Gene(s)

June 15, 2020 updated by: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Molecular Genetics Study of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Characterization of NPC Susceptibility Gene(s)

The objective of this study is to characterize genes associated either with susceptibility or resistance to the development nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a Chinese population where the incidence of NPC is as high as 50 in 100,000. NPC has been and remains a unique model of human malignancy for understanding a multi-step carcinogenic process involving a ubiquitous virus (Epstein-Barr virus), environmental carcinogens, and an NPC susceptibility gene. Up to 95% of all NPC patients at early or late stage of the disease have IgA antibodies directed to the EBV virus VCA (viral capsid antigen). Environmental factors have also been implicated as significant risk factors in the development of NPC. In addition, certain alleles in HLA genes have shown associations with NPC, perhaps in concert with a family of T-cell receptor genes (TCR). Other data suggest that a microsatellite marker on Chromosome 6 may be associated with an NPC-disease associated gene.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Detailed Description

The objective of this study is to characterize genes associated either with susceptibility or resistance to the development nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a Chinese population where the incidence of NPC is as high as 50 in 100,000. NPC has been and remains a unique model of human malignancy for understanding a multi-step carcinogenic process involving a ubiquitous virus (Epstein-Barr virus), environmental carcinogens, and an NPC susceptibility gene. Up to 95% of all NPC patients at early or late stage of the disease have IgA antibodies directed to the EBV virus VCA (viral capsid antigen). Environmental factors have also been implicated as significant risk factors in the development of NPC. In addition, certain alleles in HLA genes have shown associations with NPC, perhaps in concert with a family of T-cell receptor genes (TCR). Other data suggest that a microsatellite marker on Chromosome 6 may be associated with an NPC-disease associated gene.

We will use a "triad" approach to attempt to dissociate genetic from environmental and viral associations of NPC incidence. Blood samples will be collected from volunteers (probands) and family members (spouse and child and/or parent of patient) at two sites in Guangxi Province, China: the Cancer Research and Control Institute in Wuzhou City; and the Cang Wu County Cancer Hospital, located about 20 miles from Wuzhou. All cases will be EBV/IgA/VCA positive. These triad of samples will provide both control and haplotypic information on cases and controls. A database of pertinent clinical and family information will be created from a questionnaire filled in by hospital staff interviewers. Blood will be separated into plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Plasma will be tested at the Wuzhou Center for EBV/IgA/VCA. The PBMCs will be viably frozen and transported to the LGD at NCI/FCRDC, where they will be transformed into lymphoblastoid cell lines for extraction of DNA. At the LGD the DNAs will be screened for informative polymorphisms in candidate genes by DNA genotyping methods. Association analyses will be performed to detect linkages between informative polymorphisms in candidate genes by DNA genotyping methods. Association analyses will be performed to detect linkages between informative polymorphisms and clinical and family data. If a marker associated with development of NC is found, there are potential applications in diagnostics and therapy. Further, identification of allelic polymorphisms in genes with a role in NPC progression would offer definitive ties of such genes to the carcinogenic process.

Following this study, the samples will be maintained in our repository and curated through our central Laboratory database. Loss or destruction of these samples wil be recorded in our database and cannot impact the study participants in any way. We understand that studies subsequent to the completion of this protocol will require additional OHSR/IRB approval prior to commencement.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

6490

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Beijing, China
        • Institute for Viral Disease Control & Prevention

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

7 years to 90 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Chinese population with a high incidence of NPC

Description

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria to be entered into the NPC study.

Cohort A: Proband: NPC positive (stage III or IV), age less than 50 at time of NPC diagnosis, and EBV/IgA/VCA positive. Spouse of Proband. Child of proband and of spouse (or a parent of the proband)

Cohort B: EBV/IgA/VCA positive 12 years ago and NPC negative. Spouse of proband. Child of proband and of spouse (or a parent of the proband).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Persons with any of the following will be excluded from the study.

Persons who are unwilling or unable to given informed consent, or whose spouse and child(ren) (or parent) are willing to participate and give informed consent/assent.

Persons with no living spouse of child(ren)/parent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Collection from 9100 participants
Time Frame: 2006
DNA Genotyping
2006

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Daniel W McVicar, Ph.D., National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

April 1, 2001

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 20, 2006

Study Completion (Actual)

September 20, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 19, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

June 21, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 16, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 15, 2020

Last Verified

June 1, 2020

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe