Molecular Genetics Studies of Cancer Patients and Their Relatives

This observational study is looking into the genetic and behavioral factors that might lead to certain cancers and how these factors affect people who have had cancer and their family members. Researchers will collect samples like blood, saliva, eyebrow plucks, urine, or stored tissue, and ask participants to complete questionnaires. The goal is to better understand cancer risk and identify potential markers for future studies over a period of up to 10 years. You may be able to join if you or your family have a history of cancer that suggests an inherited tendency, such as cancer at a young age, multiple cancers in one person, or rare tumor types.

Study design: This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 999,999 participants. It does not involve a specific phase of drug development.
What's involved: You would provide samples such as blood, saliva, eyebrow plucks, urine, and/or stored tumor or healthy tissue. You may also be asked to complete questionnaires.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your cancer risk and exploratory biomarkers will be assessed for up to 10 years.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Molecular Genetics Studies of Cancer Patients and Their Relatives

Recruiting

Not specifiedAll AgesObservational

City of Hope Medical Center

~999,999 participants

Updated 2026-06-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Biospecimen CollectionQuestionnaire Administration

At a glance

Recruiting sites

41 of 42 listed sites are recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Cancer risk assessment

Measured over Up to 10 years

+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Malignant Neoplasm

Where it's being run

42 sites across 24 states

California8

Texas4

New Mexico3

Florida2

Illinois2

Maryland2

New York2

Pennsylvania2

Study leadership

Stephen Gruber, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · City of Hope Medical Center

Who to contact

Stephen Gruber

[email protected]

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Individuals must have a personal history of cancer and/or a family history of cancer suggestive of the presence of an inherited predisposition. This inherited predisposition might manifest as:

Young age cancer diagnosis

Multiple primary neoplasms in affected member

The presence of rare tumor types in the family

Congenital malformations

Any other family clustering of cancer

Any other cancer-predisposing genetic diseases/conditions

Individuals may also be eligible by participation in the City of Hope Cancer Screening \& Prevention Program Network (CSPPN) clinical service or on the basis of membership in a group known or suspected to have an increased risk of carrying a genetic alteration or of sustaining a particular exposure that would place that at increased risk of cancer. (Examples would include members of occupational cohorts like asbestos workers, individuals with multiple dysplastic nevi in the absence of a family history of cancer, and individuals descended from a particular tribe in the American Southwest who have an increased incidence of a rare genetic alteration associated with an increased risk of a specific cancer.)

Individuals and families may be referred to us in a number of different ways. After initial contact is made with a individual or family by family studies personnel; an individual within the bloodline will be identified as the historian. There may be more than one historian within a family

At least one historian must be wiling to provide information or access as needed to contact appropriate family members for documentation of cancer and for consent. An individual is considered to be eligible to participate if they criteria; contact with relatives is not always indicated

Individuals who are under 18 are eligible for study if they meet the criteria. Consent for participation must be given by a legal guardian or parent

Deceased patients may be included in the study. Public records, such as death certificates, can be used to confirm information from individuals or family members. If medical records are needed, consent for these records will be obtained from the deceased's next of kin. Next of kin refers to the following hierarchy of relatives; spouse, offspring, parents, and siblings. (Any further use of next of kin in this protocol should relate back to this hierarchy.) Archived tissue samples, such as pathology blocks or snap frozen tumor from a pathology department tumor bank (discard specimens) may be used for genetic research

Exclusion

A family may be ineligible for study if the historian will not allow access to anyone within the family and thus, the accuracy of the family history cannot be established

What this trial measures

Cancer risk assessmentUp to 10 years
Exploratory biomarkers for future studiesUp to 10 years

Trialytics