SMS 2: Impact of Cancer Therapy on the Somatic Mutational Landscape of Normal Tissues

Disease and tissue aging are thought to be influenced by genetic changes, or mutations, acquired throughout life. These mutations provide clues regarding the genetic damage that occurred through the lifetime of the patient, and include mutations caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet light from sunlight or tobacco smoke affecting the skin or internal tissues, respectively. Other mutations may occur due to errors in copying the genome as cells divide. Once a cell has acquired a mutation, the cell's daughters may inherit it. Eventually clusters of cells carrying the same mutation may form within tissues. If the mutations alter cell behaviour this may impact how cells behave and influence how a whole tissue functions.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or Female
• Due to commence systemic treatment for histologically confirmed cancer at a - participating site
• Age over 18 years
• Able to give informed consent.
• Able to give urine, blood and cheek swab samples on two occasions.
• Likely to complete 3 months of treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Anyone outside of the inclusion criteria plus individuals who Lack the capacity to provide informed consent and those who do not have a good command of the English language.
• Any participant who is known to have Hep B, Hep C or HIV