Defining the Natural History of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Fanconi Anemia

Recruiting

• Conditions: Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome; Fanconi Anemia

• Registration Number: NCT05687149
• Lead Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Brief Summary

Background:

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inherited disorder. People with FA are more likely to get certain cancers, especially squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These cancers usually appear first in the mouth, esophagus, and genital and anal areas. Early detection of SCCs may help improve survival rates for people with FA.

Objective:

This natural history study will regularly screen people with FA for SCC.

Eligibility:

People aged 12 years and older with FA or a prior cancer diagnosis. Children aged 8 to 11 years with FA may also be eligible.

Design:

Participants will receive a comprehensive screening for cancer or early signs of cancer.

Participants will have a physical exam. They will provide blood and saliva samples. Cells will be collected by rubbing a swab on the inside of the cheeks. A skin sample may be removed from the back, buttocks, or inside of the upper arm.

Participants will have pictures taken of their mouth. Any mouth sores will be mapped. Cells will be collected from the sores with a small brush.

Specialists will examine the participant s ears, nose, throat, teeth, and skin.

Adult participants may have a gastrointestinal exam or pelvic exam. Participants may have an endoscopy. A long tube with a camera and a light will be inserted through the mouth and down into the stomach.

Participants may have a liver ultrasound. A wand will be pressed against their belly to get pictures of the organs inside the body.

Participants will have screenings every year for up to 10 years. Each visit will last up to 3 days. They will have remote follow-up visits every 6 - 8 months....

Detailed Description

Study Description:

This is a natural history study involving questionnaires, clinical and research evaluations, clinical and research laboratory tests, review of medical records, and cancer surveillance. A prospective cohort of individuals with Fanconi anemia (FA) at very high risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) will be screened and provide new information on oral potentially malignant lesion (OPML) development and robustly quantify the risk of progression of OPML to cancer in FA.

Objectives:

Primary Objectives:

1. To establish a central program and a team of expert clinicians and scientists at the NIH Clinical Center to conduct a comprehensive longitudinal study of cancer screening in adolescent and young adults (AYA) with FA at high risk of SCC through detailed clinical evaluation and biospecimen collection.

2. To characterize the clinical and pathological natural history of OPMLs in AYAs with FA using brush biopsies for cytopathologic diagnosis and DNA aneuploidy and correlate those findings with tissue biopsies and genomic analyses of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and SCC.

3. To prospectively screen individuals with FA for early indicators for the development of esophageal and anogenital SCC and hematological malignancy.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To identify genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and immune escape in individuals with FA.

2. To facilitate the enrollment of individuals with FA with high-grade dysplasia or SCC in intra- and extra-mural precision intervention trials.

Endpoints:

Primary Endpoints:

1. Characterize the natural history of OPMLs in FA, rates of progression, regression, and development of new lesions

2. Determine the utility of brush biopsy to identify oral dysplasia and SCC in FA

3. Identify potential precursor states for esophageal and anogenital cancers in FA

4. Develop screening guidelines for esophageal and anogenital cancer in FA

Secondary Endpoints:

1. Identify predictive biomarkers of oral SCC development

2. Characterize genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to SCC development

3. Facilitate patient enrollment in intervention trials

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-01-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-01-17
• Study First Posted: 2023-01-18
• Study Start: 2023-03-23
• Status Verified: 2025-07-23
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-31
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-01
• Primary Completion: 2035-12-31
• Study Completion: 2035-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 200

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Clinical and Pathological Natural History of Oral Potentially Malignant Lesion	ongoing	Characterize the clinical and pathological natural history of OPMLs in AYAs with FA using brush biopsies for cytopathologic diagnosis and aneuploidy and correlate those findings with tissue biopsies and genomic analyses of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and SCC.
Cohort of Patients with FA	ongoing	A prospective cohort of individuals with Fanconi anemia (FA) at very high risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Screen Patients with FA	ongoing	Prospectively screen individuals with FA for early indicators for the development of esophageal and anogenital SCC.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center; 🇺🇸 Bethesda, Maryland, United States