Clinical Research

Protocol for a Research Sample Repository for Allogeneic Unrelated Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Principal Investigator: Margarida Magalhaes-Silverman, MD

The purpose of this research study is to store a blood sample from both bone marrow and blood stem cell donors and their recipients in the NMDP Research Sample Repository, which will provide cells and plasma for researchers to study. By studying the cells and plasma of donors and recipients, researchers may learn more about improving the tissue matching between unrelated donors and their recipients. Increasing knowledge about tissue matching could result in the improved long-term survival of bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients.

A research Database for Allogeneic Unrelated Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Principal Investigator:Colleen Chapleau, MD

Participants in this research database are 1) any recipient whose Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) transplant is facilitated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and 2) all donors registered on the NMDP Registry who have been requested to donate a product for a recipient.

The following are types of studies in which subject's study data may be included. These are studies to: 1. Determine how well recipients recover from their transplant; 2. Determine how recovery after a transplant can be improved; 3. Determine how access to transplant for different groups of patients can be improved; 4. Determine how well donors recover from the collection procedures.

Neuroblastoma Biology Studies

Principal Investigator: Ayman El-Sheikh, MD

Participants in this study are newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, or ganglioneuroma.  The purpose of this research study is: 1) to analyze the biologic markers needed to choose therapy for participants' diseases. These include Shimada classification, and MYCN testing. 2) to study other tumor genetics and save slides for future research studies. This may lead to better understanding of the disease. 3) to collect and store tissues samples in a national neuroblastoma tissue bank for future studies.

A Group-Wide Protocol for Collecting and Banking Research Specimens

Principal Investigator:Ayman El-Sheikh, MD

The purpose of this research is to provide specimens, cells and body fluid (such as blood, serum or bone marrow) that is removed at the time of participants' surgery or procedure to aid researchers in studies of the causes and treatment of pediatric cancers.

Evaluation of Genes and Proteins in Pediatric Nervous System Tumors

Principal Investigator: M. Sue O'Dorisio, MD

The purpose of this research is to study some of the changes that have occurred in the genes or proteins of the tumor cells; these changes may be important in causing neuroblastoma, neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, or other tumors in children and adults. These genetic changes may allow the tumor to spread to other parts of the body. In order to study these changes in the tumor cells, we must examine the tumor cell genes and proteins.