Characterization of Human Cancers by Molecular Profiling of Patient Biospecimens

The molecular understanding of cancer is advancing rapidly, and a new generation of more effective, targeted cancer drugs are taking center stage in cancer care. Yet the investigators system for clinical testing of new agents has not kept pace with the revolution in cancer biology. Stratification by genotypic and phenotypic abnormalities further divides histological cancers into a myriad of clinically distinct subtypes. As cancer therapies become more selective, and the intent to treat populations and the predictability of patient presentation decrease, clinical trial enrollment becomes more difficult by traditional methods. A breakout solution is needed in clinical research methodology, to create a more efficient means of developing new cancer drugs in the US. Improved methods for the systematic, prospective screening of cancer patients are needed to identify the subsets of patients whose tumors express molecular markers targeted by precision therapeutics. This protocol will evaluate clinical samples of cancer tissue to identify the molecular abnormalities present in individual patients' cancer. In this context the investigators objective will be to enable physicians to more thoroughly characterize the molecular abnormalities underlying cancer and to connect eligible patients to precision treatments as part of optimal care. By making trials more accessible and utilizing technology wisely, it should be possible to match cancer patients to appropriate treatments, including clinical trials, within a clinically relevant timeframe to bring research opportunities into consideration for best clinical care.