Overview

Functional precision medicine (FPM) is a relatively new approach to cancer therapy based on direct exposure of patient- isolated tumor cells to clinically approved drugs and integrates ex vivo drug sensitivity testing (DST) and genomic profiling to determine the optimal individualized therapy for cancer patients. In this study, we will enroll relapsed or refractory pediatric cancer patients with tissue available for DST and genomic profiling from the South Florida area, which is 69% Hispanic and 18% Black. Tumor cells collected from tissue taken during routine biopsy or surgery will be tested.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 21 years or younger at the time of enrollment on this study of any gender, race or ethnicity.

        Subjects with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of recurrent or refractory cancer Subjects
        who are scheduled for or have recently had biopsy or tumor excised (solid tumors) or bone
        marrow aspirate (blood cancers) Subjects willing to have a blood draw or buccal swab done
        for the purposes of genetic testing Subjects or their parents or legal guardians willing to
        sign informed consent Subjects aged 7 to 17 willing to sign assent
        Exclusion Criteria:
          -  Subjects who do not have malignant tissue available and accessible The amount of
             excised malignant tissue is not sufficient for the ex vivo drug testing and/or genetic
             profiling.
        Patients with newly diagnosed tumors and tumors that have high (>90%) cure rate with safe
        standard therapy.