Protein and RNA Expression Patterns in Predicting Response to Treatment in Patients With Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

- To determine protein and/or RNA expression patterns capable of predicting tumor response
to therapy in tumor tissue samples from patients with lung cancer or suspected of having
lung cancer.

- To characterize the genes and proteins found to be predictive of response in order to
help elucidate the molecular biology underlying cancer chemosensitivity.

- To evaluate DNA mutations found within the lung cancer sample which may be predictive of
response or resistance to certain therapeutic agents.

OUTLINE: Patients undergo collection of tumor tissue by percutaneous fine needle aspiration,
core biopsy, thoracentesis, or during any medically indicated procedure involving removal of
lung cancer tissue. Tissue samples are analyzed by a variety of techniques, including DNA
sequencing, RNA sequencing and expression levels, protein assessment [by
immunohistochemistry, western blot, Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of
flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS]). The goal of these studies is to identify of gene
mutations, gene expression levels, and proteins predictive of treatment response. Blood
samples are also collected to obtain normal DNA for analysis.

After completion of study, patients will be followed until their death.

Inclusion criteria

- Diagnosis of suspected lung cancer or lung cancer

Exclusion criteria

- Inability to undergo therapy