The NOMAD Study Testing a New Blood, Urine, and Saliva Method to Screen for Cancer in Adults Without Known Cancer

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating a new molecular approach to cancer screening by studying blood, urine, and saliva samples. This observational study aims to establish normal values for specific methylated DNA tumor markers in people without known cancer or precancer. It also explores how demographic factors, exposures, medications, and chronic diseases may affect these marker levels. The study is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic and includes building a biospecimen archive to support future research in molecular blood tests for cancer detection. Participants provide blood and urine samples for analysis, and saliva samples are also assessed for markers like methylated DNA, RNA, or proteins found in cell-free or extracellular vesicles. The study involves reviewing patients medical records and collecting demographic and health information. Recruitment targets aim to balance age groups, sex, and certain health conditions to better understand marker distributions. This approach helps evaluate the specificity of these markers in cancer screening. During the study, participants undergo sample collections and medical record reviews at baseline. The primary outcomes include measuring blood levels of methylated DNA tumor markers, assessing cancer detection feasibility using urine samples, and establishing a long-term biospecimen archive extending up to 20 years. The study includes healthy volunteers aged 18 and older, with ongoing monitoring to support future molecular blood test advancements for cancer detection.

A Novel Molecular Approach to Blood DNA Screening for Cancer: Specificity Assessment (The NOMAD Study)