Molecular Profiling for Tumor Characterization and Risk Stratification in Patients With Appendiceal Cancer
City of Hope Medical Center
Summary
This study investigates integrated epigenetic and epitranscriptomic features of appendiceal cancer using archived tumor tissue specimens from the same patient cohort. The study includes DNA methylation profiling and m6A epitranscriptomic profiling to define molecular subtypes, evaluate associations with clinicopathologic features, and develop molecular risk scores for prognostic stratification. The primary goal is to determine whether DNA methylation- and m6A-based molecular features can complement conventional histopathologic grading and improve risk stratification.
Description
Appendiceal cancer is a rare and heterogeneous malignancy with limited clinically actionable biomarkers for risk stratification. Histologic grade remains one of the strongest determinants of prognosis, but outcomes among patients with lower-grade disease remain variable. This study is designed to characterize the molecular architecture of appendiceal cancer through integrated analysis of DNA methylation and m6A epitranscriptomic profiles generated from archived tumor tissue specimens from the same patient cohort. The study uses formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded appendiceal cancer tissues, and…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with histologically confirmed appendiceal adenocarcinoma or appendiceal cancer. * Availability of archived tumor tissue suitable for molecular profiling. * Availability of tissue for DNA methylation profiling, m6A epitranscriptomic profiling, or both. * Availability of relevant clinicopathologic data. * Availability of survival or follow-up information when applicable. * Age 18 years or older at diagnosis or tissue collection. Exclusion Criteria: * Insufficient tissue quantity or quality for molecular profiling. * Inadequate DNA or RNA quality for sequencing o…
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestDNA Methylation Profiling
Archived tissue specimens undergo DNA methylation profiling to characterize tumor-associated methylation alterations and identify methylation-based molecular features associated with clinicopathologic variables and survival outcomes. The profiling is performed for research purposes only and does not assign treatment.
- Diagnostic Testm6A Epitranscriptomic Profiling
Archived tissue specimens undergo m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing with matched input RNA sequencing to quantify transcriptome-wide m6A enrichment. The resulting molecular data are used for subtype discovery, m6A score construction, reduced-panel development, and association with clinicopathologic and survival outcomes.
Location
- City of Hope Medical CenterDuarte, California