Gene Polymorphisms and Symptoms in Lung Cancer Patients

Overview

Primary Objectives: * Construct a prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with lung cancer and dispositioned for treatment and collect information on symptoms and symptom treatments at baseline and on follow-up. * Develop preliminary statistical models incorporating genetic data (which will be obtained from an existing protocol, CPN 91-001, Margaret Spitz), disease-related variables (e.g., stage of disease, location of tumor), clinical health status (e.g., performance status, comorbid conditions), and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race) for predicting the risk of severe and persistent symptoms. Analytical aim: To determine if symptoms (e.g., fatigue, depression, lack of appetite) will differ in severity by IL-6 gene polymorphisms (-174G/C, -597G/A, -572G/C, -373An/Tn). This study (NIH-CA109043, Reyes-Gibby, 2004-2009) builds upon an NIH-funded (NIH-CA55769, Spitz, 2003-2008) study of the molecular epidemiology of lung cancer.

If you agree to take part in this study, upon being admitted for treatment, you will be asked about your symptoms (how severe they are and to what degree they affect your day-to-day functioning). You will be asked to fill out a symptoms questionnaire each time you are at the clinic for your treatment and for your follow-up visits. The questionnaire will take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete each time. You may also be contacted at home so that researchers can follow-up on your experience with symptoms (only if you are not able to come to the clinic for your chemoradiation treatment or follow-up visits). If you are contacted by phone, the call should last about 5 to 10 minutes each time. Researchers will also try to collect some of your leftover blood (that was already drawn and stored for research studies) from a previous lung cancer study (Ecogenetics of Lung Cancer) that you participated in at M. D. Anderson. Researchers will use your leftover blood sample to look at certain genes in your blood that may affect your symptoms. If you did not have blood collected in the previous lung cancer study, you will have a blood sample (one tablespoon) drawn when you first agree to participate in this study. This is an investigational study. Up to 320 patients will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.