Biospecimen Procurement for Head and Neck Disorders

Background:

NCI Head and Neck Clinical Research Program (H&N CRP) investigators are studying the natural history and treatment of diverse conditions of the head and neck at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These studies require the collection of biospecimens for research purposes.

Studies performed may support development of future protocols that include new therapeutic agents, novel treatment approaches, and new prognostic and diagnostic models for individuals with disorders of the head and neck affecting human communication.

Objectives:

-Primary: To create a biorepository of diseased and normal tissue specimens for research purposes from individuals with head and neck disorders.

Eligibility:

• Participants must be diagnosed with a disorder of the head and neck region.
• Age >= 3 years

Design:

• Up to 1000 participants will be enrolled.

• Part 1: Participants with head and neck disorders will be asked to share waste material from surgical procedures to create a biorepository of diseased and normal specimens for research. The participants will be enrolled prior to the surgery, or they may be enrolled retrospectively and asked to share pathology specimens and slides previously collected that are no longer required for their medical care. Participants will be recruited from surgical protocols at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center or from other participating sites.
• Part 2: Participants who have agreed to share surgical waste material may be asked to provide additional blood, saliva, and/or oral swabs. In addition, oral mucosal or skin biopsies may be obtained from adult participants aged 18 and older.
• No investigational or experimental therapy will be given as part of this protocol.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• Age 3 and older.
• Able to provide their own consent, or for minors, a parent or guardian is able to consent on their behalf.
• Diagnosis of a condition of the head and neck for which removal of biological specimens was indicated for clinical care or for research purposes under a separate Review Board (IRB) approved protocol.
• Ability of subject (or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR)) to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

• Part 1:

--Are unwilling to share waste specimens for research purposes

• Part 2: Additional exclusion criteria for the Part 2 prospective sample collection part of this protocol these criteria may be assessed prior to collection of the samples but will not affect overall eligibility for the trial (i.e., Part 1):

• have active symptomatic major organ disorders that would increase the risk of biopsy for research, including but not limited to bleeding disorders, ischemic heart disease, a recent myocardial infarction, active congestive heart failure or severe pulmonary dysfunction
• have specific medical condition, such as a bleeding tendency where additional biopsies or phlebotomy procedures may increase the participants risk in participating. This will be determined at the discretion of the principal investigator
• Individuals under the age of 18 are excluded from oral mucosal biopsies and skin biopsies