Attitudes of Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancers Toward Research Biopsies.

Background: Research biopsies are an increasingly important component of clinical trials, but there are concerns that biopsies may deter patients from participating in research.

Patients And Methods: Patients participating in a single-center study investigating the feasibility of molecular profiling in advanced gastrointestinal cancers were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their reasons for consenting/declining optional research biopsies and blood samples. These samples were mainly for exploratory translational research and were unlikely to influence patients' treatment.