Massive study aims to uncover cancer secrets in rare bone marrow diseases
NCT ID NCT00027274
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 21 times
Summary
This natural history study follows up to 4,000 people with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) and their families to learn why they are prone to certain cancers. Researchers will track health over time, collect genetic samples, and look for clues that separate those who develop cancer from those who don't. The goal is to improve cancer screening and prevention for these high-risk groups.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could identify genetic and environmental factors that increase cancer risk in these families, pointing toward better screening and prevention strategies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may take many years to gather enough data, and findings may not apply to the general population.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 4,000 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2001
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
All families with a member who has one of the relevant syndromes.
- Ages
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1 day to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: The participants will be affected by an IBMFS, or be members of a family with an IBMFS, and be at risk of being affected or carriers of the syndrome. Except for the rare X-linked recessive disorder (e.g. some dyskeratosis congenita patients), there should be equal numbers of male and female probands and family members. These IBMFS have been reported in most racial and ethnic groups, and thus all such groups will be included. The age range will be from birth to old age (grandparents of probands). The majority of the probands will be children (10-20% will be adults), and their parents and grandparents will be adults. All racial/ethnic groups are eligible. INCLUSION CRITERIA for Patients: * Fanconi s anemia. * Diamond Blackfan anemia. * Dyskeratosis congenita. * Shwachman Diamond Syndrome. * Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. * Thrombocytopenia absent radii. * Severe Congenital Neutropenia. * Pearson Syndrome. * Other bone marrow failure syndromes. Family Members of IBMFS - Affected Subjects: -Family members include first degree relatives of IBMFS-affected subjects as defined here, i.e. siblings (half or full), biologic parents, and children. Grandparents of IBMFS-affected subjects are also included, specifically for Hypothesis 4. The age range will be from birth to old age (grandparents of probands). Patients in the general population: -Patients in the general population with sporadic tumors of the types seen in the IBMFS (head and neck, gastrointestinal, and anogenital cancer), with none of the usual risk factors for those tumors (e.g. smoking, drinking, HPV). These patients will be further evaluated for an IBMFS by the referring physician under the guidance of the study investigators and if diagnosed with an IBMFS or if not diagnosed but highly suspicious for an IBMFS, would be eligible for inclusion in the Field and Clinic Center cohorts. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: -Affected: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Evidence that the hematologic disorder is acquired rather than genetic. Such evidence includes temporal relation of the aplastic anemia to known marrow suppressant drugs, chemicals, toxins, or viruses (in the absence of evidence indicative of an inherited marrow failure disorder). * Known causes of cytopenias such as autoantibodies to red cells, platelets, or neutrophils, viruses (especially hepatitis), micronutrient deficiencies, transient erythroblastopenia of childhood, and cyclic neutropenia. * Assignment of the patient s physical findings to other syndromes or causes that are not part of the IBMFS disease spectrum. * Inability of the participant or LAR to understand and be willing to sign a written informed consent document. * Unwillingness to permit access to medical records and pathology specimens. There are no other exclusion parameters not related to the primary disease. -Unaffected/Family Members: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * If there is no affected individual in the family who meets the inclusion criteria * Inability of the participant or LAR to understand and be willing to sign a written informed consent document. * Unwillingness to permit access to medical records and pathology specimens.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Cancer Institute - Shady Grove
RECRUITINGRockville, Maryland, 20850, United States
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITINGBethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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