A Retrospective Study of Biomarkers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

December 10, 2013 updated by: National University Hospital, Singapore

A Retrospective Study of Biomarkers in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

The purpose of this study is:

  1. To characterize the types and frequency of molecular alterations to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, FGFR4 and EML-ALK in Asian patients with non-small cell lung cancer
  2. To identify candidate biomarkers of importance in the EGFR and estrogen pathways

Most, if not all, human malignancies including lung cancer are caused by somatic alterations of the genome, leading to activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and their resultant oncogenic effects. In addition to mutations, increased chromosomal copy number (by amplification or polysomy) and DNA methylation are other mechanisms of oncogene activation and tumour suppressor gene inactivation respectively.

Little is known about the relationship between these oncogenes of the EGFR family and the recently described oncogenes FGFR4 and fusion gene EML4-ALK. Recent data suggests molecularly defined subgroups of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exist and can be used to predict for sensitivity to targeted agents (erlotinib or gefitinib) or cytotoxic chemotherapy (pemetrexate, gemcitabine, platinum agents). The findings that estrogen receptors are present in lung tumours and that estrogen can stimulate growth and proliferation of lung cancers in vitro and in vivo are provocative. Further studies to evaluate the role of estrogens and other sex hormones in lung cancer are warranted.

A further understanding of the molecular indicators of lung cancer prognosis and treatment prediction would improve drug development and patient treatment selection.

Archived paraffin-embedded and fresh frozen NSCLC tumor tissue will be obtained via the Department of Pathology and the National University Tissue Repository respectively. Clinico-pathological characteristics will be obtained from the case records, Pathology and Tissue Repository. DNA will be isolated using standard techniques. Sequencing of genes in the EGFR signaling pathway: EGFR, KRAS, ErbB2, ErbB3, MET, PI3K, and BRAF as well as FGFR4. Unstained slides from the paraffin-embedded tissue will be obtained and subjected to fluoresce in vitro hybridization (FISH) for breakpoints in the EML4 and ALK genes as previously described. For cases that have been snap-frozen, RNA will be extracted and EML4-ALK fusions will be confirmed using RT-PCR and pre-specified primers. To analyse the expression of proteins of putative relevance to EGFR function (such as EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, AKT, MET, STAT, ERK, MAPK, cyclin D1, C/EBPa), downstream effects of EGFR: cell proliferation (Ki-67), angiogenesis (CD34, VEGF-A), apoptosis (bcl-2), metastasis, and hormonal influence (oestrogen and progesterone receptors, aromatase), TMA technology will be utilised. The status of the tumor suppressor genes PTEN and C/EBPa will be analysed.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

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

  • Singapore
      • Singapore, Singapore, 119074
        • Recruiting
        • National University Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Ross Andrew Soo, MBBS

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

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Archived paraffin-embedded and fresh frozen NSCLC tumor tissue will be obtained via the Department of Pathology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National University Hospital and the National University Tissue Repository respectively. Clinico-pathological characteristics will be obtained from the case records, Pathology and Tissue Repository.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Nil

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Nil

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

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

National University Hospital, Singapore

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.

General Publications

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

April 1, 2009

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

April 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 14, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 7, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

April 9, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

December 11, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 10, 2013

Last Verified

December 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NS03/20/08

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.

Clinical Trials on Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Kenya

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe