Bainbridge Island

Researchers are collecting and storing tissue and blood samples from patients with various types of cancer to create models that help study cancer and test new treatments. This observational study focuses on patients with confirmed or suspected cancer diagnoses, including solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, to improve laboratory research and drug development. The study involves obtaining tumor tissue and blood samples during medically necessary procedures related to the patient's cancer treatment. These samples will be preserved using xenograft models (transplantation into another species) or cell cultures for future analysis. Sample collection is timed carefully around treatment cycles to ensure tissue viability. Participants will undergo tissue and blood collection as part of their clinical care, with no additional procedures solely for the study. Researchers will review pathology and flow cytometry reports to confirm viable cancer cells in the samples. The main outcome is the successful procurement and storage of these biological materials for research over a follow-up period of up to five years.

Researchers are studying patients with metastatic HER-2-positive breast cancer who are receiving trastuzumab-based treatments to understand the risk of heart problems related to their cancer therapy. The study includes two groups: one large observational group of patients already taking beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs alongside their cancer treatment, and a smaller randomized group comparing patients who receive carvedilol, a heart medication, to those who do not. The trial aims to assess how often heart issues occur and whether carvedilol can help prevent heart damage from chemotherapy. It also investigates biomarkers and heart function measures as predictors of cardiac risk. In the randomized part, patients not already on beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs are assigned to receive carvedilol twice daily or no additional treatment for up to 108 weeks, with treatment cycles repeated every 12 weeks if there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. Patients already taking these heart medications join the observational cohort and are monitored for up to 108 weeks without any change in their therapy. The study collects blood samples and performs regular heart imaging to evaluate heart function and strain. Participants will have regular echocardiograms every 12 weeks to monitor heart function, with both local and central readings compared. Blood samples are collected for biomarker analysis, and patient health status is assessed throughout the study. The main outcome measured is the time until any heart dysfunction is first detected, followed for up to 108 weeks. The study also tracks interruptions in cancer therapy due to heart problems and explores genetic and plasma markers that might predict heart risk. Participants are followed closely for safety and treatment effects during the entire study period.