Molecular Profiling for Risk Stratification in Appendiceal Cancer
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: DNA Methylation Profiling, m6A Epitranscriptomic Profiling.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Appendiceal Cancer, Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Molecular Profiling for Tumor Characterization and Risk Stratification in Patients With Appendiceal Cancer
Overview
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.
Detailed 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 where available benign or normal appendix tissues, together with matched clinicopathologic and follow-up data. DNA methylation profiling is performed to evaluate tumor-associated methylation patterns, identify differentially methylated regions or features, and assess their association with clinical and survival outcomes. In parallel, m6A epitranscriptomic profiling is performed using m6A-enriched RNA sequencing with matched input RNA sequencing to quantify transcriptome-wide m6A enrichment.
Molecular data are analyzed to identify tumor-associated epigenetic and epitranscriptomic alterations, define molecular subtypes, and construct continuous molecular risk scores. These molecular features are evaluated in relation to histologic grade, histologic subtype, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, peritoneal cancer index, overall survival, and progression-free survival.
The study aims to determine whether DNA methylation and m6A-based profiling can provide complementary molecular information for appendiceal cancer classification, prognostic modeling, and future biomarker development.
Interventions
- Diagnostic test DNA 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 test m6A 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.
Primary outcome measures
- Overall Survival [Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
- Progression-Free Survival [Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year]
Eligibility criteria
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 or molecular assay preparation.
- Missing essential clinicopathologic information required for analysis.
- Non-appendiceal primary tumor or metastatic tumor to the appendix from another primary site.
- Patients who do not meet institutional review board or consent requirements, if applicable.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- City of Hope Medical Center — Durate
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07587268 · 23228_CIPHER-AC