Molecular Profiling for Tumor Characterization and Risk Stratification in Patients With Appendiceal Cancer

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to better understand appendiceal cancer, a rare and varied type of cancer with few biomarkers to guide risk assessment. The study focuses on analyzing molecular features through DNA methylation and m6A epitranscriptomic profiling of archived tumor tissue samples from patients. Researchers want to see if these molecular patterns can provide additional information beyond traditional histologic grading to improve how patient risk is determined. The study uses archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with appendiceal cancer and, when available, benign or normal appendix tissues for comparison. DNA methylation profiling evaluates tumor-related methylation patterns, while m6A epitranscriptomic profiling measures RNA methylation across the transcriptome. These molecular analyses help identify subtypes and develop molecular risk scores. The study involves two groups: patients with confirmed appendiceal cancer and individuals with benign appendix tissues as references. Participants' archived tissue samples and clinical data, including follow-up and survival information, are analyzed. Researchers assess associations between molecular features and clinical factors like histologic grade, lymph node involvement, and survival outcomes. The main outcomes measured are overall survival and progression-free survival over about one year. This observational study does not involve treatment but focuses on molecular profiling for improved cancer classification and prognosis.

Molecular Profiling for Risk Stratification in Appendiceal Cancer