A Pilot Study of a Protein Profile Test in Ovarian Cancer Patients in Remission to See if Protein Changes Can Predict Relapse (be Predictive of Cancer Relapse)

Every cell in the human body contains hundreds of thousands of genes and the proteins made by the genes. Sometimes changes take place in the genes or proteins that may make the cells more likely to develop into cancer. An experimental protein profile test that finds these changes may be able to provide information about whose cancer will stay in remission and whose will return. Volunteer patients whose epithelial ovarian cancer is in remission are eligible for this study. Specimens will be collected from blood, saliva, and urine for the first protein profile test. Sample sets for more protein profile tests will be collected at follow-up visits 1 month and 3 months later and every 3 months afterward. If and when the cancer returns, an additional sample set will be obtained and a biopsy of the relapsed tumor will be taken both for a protein profile test and for review of the function and structure of the disease (pathology review). The protein profiles from these samples will be compared to those samples already collected to detect protein pattern changes. The amount of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in the blood, a sign of ovarian cancer, will also be measured to see if LPA is useful in detecting the return of ovarian cancer. If patients get fluid in the stomach or chest, it will be tested for cancer cells and proteins made by the tumor. If a physical exam or CT scan indicates a possible return of the cancer, a biopsy will be performed and a sample saved for a protein profile.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

100 Years

* INCLUSION CRITERIA

All patients in first clinical remission from treatment of FIGO stage III/IV primary peritoneal, fallopian tube, or epithelial ovarian carcinoma or stage IIC clear cell histology epithelial ovarian cancer as defined by: normal CA-125, normal physical exam, normal post hysterectomy pelvic examination, no evidence of disease on CT scan or other noninvasive reassessment.

Entry within 9 weeks of completion of final cycle of chemotherapy (within 12 weeks of last administration of chemotherapy).

S/P completion of primary therapy with standard platinum/paclitaxel or carboplatin/paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy and in confirmed clinical complete response.

At least one block from the primary tumor must be received. (If available, a sample of frozen primary tumor should also be forwarded).

ECOG performance status of 0, 1, or 2.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients with nonepithelial ovarian cancer, or mixed epithelial/nonepithelial ovarian cancer.

Patients may not be receiving chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, alternative therapy, or radiation therapy. No therapy of any kind is allowed while the patient is on-study. Replacement hormonal therapy is not allowed.

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