Cold Spring Harbor

Researchers are developing a minimally invasive blood test to diagnose pancreatic cancer at early stages and to monitor how patients respond to treatment. This observational study includes patients with various pancreatic conditions and healthy controls, aiming to improve early detection and treatment tracking for pancreatic cancer. The study is sponsored by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Participants are grouped into several cohorts based on their pancreatic condition, including advanced pancreatic cancer, operable pancreatic cancer, acute and chronic benign pancreatic diseases, pancreatic cysts, and healthy controls. Blood and sweat samples will be collected, and tissue samples may be obtained through planned biopsies or surgeries. Sampling schedules vary by cohort, with some involving samples before treatment or surgery and others involving repeated samples every 6 to 12 months according to institutional guidelines. During the study, participants will provide blood and possibly tissue or cyst fluid samples for biomarker analysis. Researchers will assess changes in these biomarkers over four years to determine the tests sensitivity and specificity for early pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Participation involves periodic sample collections and clinical evaluations, with safety monitored throughout. The study is open to adults aged 18 and older and includes healthy volunteers as well.

Researchers are creating a registry to better understand germ cell tumors GCT and other testicular tumors. This registry includes people diagnosed with these tumors, their relatives, and unrelated individuals without these tumors. The study aims to learn more about how these tumors develop, how to prevent and diagnose them, and the outcomes of different treatments. By including family members and unrelated healthy people, the study hopes to uncover why some people develop these tumors while others do not. Participants are grouped into three categories those with testicular GCTs or non-GCT testicular tumors including some female GCT cases, relatives of patients with these tumors, and healthy controls who have no personal or family history of these tumors. Participants provide information through questionnaires and give a blood or saliva sample for DNA analysis. If a DNA sample was already given in another approved study, additional sampling may not be needed. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires and provide biological samples to assist in DNA extraction and analysis. Researchers will collect and store this information to build a comprehensive registry over five years. This registry will help track tumor characteristics, family history, and genetic factors. The study is observational, so participants will not receive treatment as part of the trial but will contribute to knowledge about these tumors. The study is open to adults 18 years and older and includes healthy volunteers as well as affected individuals and their relatives.