Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder, results from NF1 gene mutations with nearly complete penetrance (1). NF1 is considered common as a rare disease; it has a birth incidence of approximately one every 3000 and a prevalence of one case every 3000-6000 individuals. Patients with NF1 present lifelong phenotypic variabilities, including those mentioned in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) diagnostic criteria: multiple cafe-au-lait macules, freckling, Lisch nodules, cutaneous neurofibromas, plexiform neurofibromas (PNs), optic pathway gliomas (OPG), and osseous lesions (1). Regarding PNs, they are present in about 30-50% of NF1 patients with deeper growth along internal nerve plexus cranial or large peripheral nerve sheaths, compared to cutaneous neurofibromas. NF1 clinical expression is unpredictable, age-related, and varies among patients; additionally, as a tumor predisposition disorder, it is associated with neoplastic complications that impair health-related quality of life (QoL). Thus, it is essential to gather data about the natural history of the disease to understand its burden on patients with NF1 and those who develop PN. Besides that, NF1 prevalence and patients' clinical characteristics are not well recognized in Egypt, and full surgical resection of PN is often challenging due to its invasive nature, location, and size. Accordingly, this is a disease registry to collect data about patients with NF1, both pediatrics and adults. And to understand the natural history of this disorder in Egypt over the past 14 years in real-world settings. For patients with NF1, with or without PNs, we aim to understand their treatment patterns and explore clinical and nonclinical factors influencing targeted outcomes.

NOTE: This is a research study and is not meant to be a substitute for clinical genetic testing. Families may never receive results from the study or may receive results many years from the time they enroll. If you are interested in clinical testing please consider seeing a local genetic counselor or other genetics professional. If you have already had clinical genetic testing and meet eligibility criteria for this study as shown in the Eligibility Section, you may enroll regardless of the results of your clinical genetic testing. While it is well recognized that hereditary factors contribute to the development of a subset of human cancers, the cause for many cancers remains unknown. The application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has expanded knowledge in the field of hereditary cancer predisposition. Currently, more than 100 cancer predisposing genes have been identified, and it is now estimated that approximately 10% of all cancer patients have an underlying genetic predisposition. The purpose of this protocol is to identify novel cancer predisposing genes and/or genetic variants. For this study, the investigators will establish a Data Registry linked to a Repository of biological samples. Health information, blood samples and occasionally leftover tumor samples will be collected from individuals with familial cancer. The investigators will use NGS approaches to find changes in genes that may be important in the development of familial cancer. The information gained from this study may provide new and better ways to diagnose and care for people with hereditary cancer. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: * Establish a registry of families with clustering of cancer in which clinical data are linked to a repository of cryopreserved blood cells, germline DNA, and tumor tissues from the proband and other family members. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: * Identify novel cancer predisposing genes and/or genetic variants in families with clustering of cancer for which the underlying genetic basis is unknown.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow along the nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body. People with NF1 often have pain and may experience other abnormal sensations like itching, numbness, or tingling. These symptoms can affect their daily life. Researchers want to learn more about these symptoms and find better ways to measure pain in people with NF1. Objective: To learn if a device called the AlgometRx Nociometer(Registered trademark) is effective in measuring pain or other abnormal sensations in people with NF1. Eligibility: People aged 1 year and older with NF1. Design: Individuals can have up to 3 assessments completed in person. Each assessment may last up to 1.0 to 1.5 hours. Individuals will be screened. They will complete questionnaires about their health and how bad their pain is. If participants are having blood drawn for other reasons, some additional samples may be used in this study. The AlgometRx Nociometer includes an electrode that will be placed onto a finger or a toe. The electrode will send non-painful electrical signals to activate nerves in the finger or toe. At the same time, a camera will be used to record changes in the pupil of the eye. The test will be done on all 4 of the participant s limbs; however, researchers may skip 1 or more limbs for various reasons. This test takes about 10 seconds to complete with at least a one-minute rest between testing different limbs. Individuals will be asked to do a 2nd assessment with the AlgometRx Nociometer that may be done 1 hour later but no more than 72 hours after the first assessment. Participants who will be returning for another visit can opt to do a 3rd assessment that will be done at least 4 weeks but not more than 18 months after the 1st....

The trial will be an open label, single arm, phase 2 study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of HLX-1502 in participants with NF1 that are 16 years or older in age with progressive and/or symptomatic PN. This study will also investigate the safety and efficacy of HLX-1502 in a small cohort of 12 to 15 year olds.

The objective of this study is to develop office-based tools to quantify gait in young children with NF1 that reflect overall gross motor impairment and predict future gross motor difficulties.

This is a single arm pilot trial of a novel whole-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging paired with artificial intelligence intervention, to evaluate feasibility defined as scan-rescan reliability, and to estimate the positive predictive value of changes in Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans from baseline to 12-month visit using an Artificial Intelligence algorithm, among 15 pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Background: Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a disease that causes tumors to grow along the nerves. These include plexiform neurofibromas (pNF) and cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF). Both pNF and cNF can be visible to other people. These tumors can affect a person s appearance and quality of life. Researchers want to be able to assess changes in appearance before and after treatment for NF1 tumors. Objective: To see if two questionnaires can help assess people s ratings about the appearance of their pNF and cNF tumors. Eligibility: People aged 8 years and older with pNF and people 12 years and older either with cNF or both pNF and cNF. Adult caregivers of children with pNF and cNF are also needed. Design: Participants will complete questionnaires on paper or by phone, computer, or tablet. They will answer questions about how they look, how they feel, and how they feel about the way they look. Participants will meet in at least 1 remote focus group or individual interview. The meeting will last about 1 hour. Each group will include 3 to 5 people, organized by age: 8 to 11 years, 12 to 17 years, 18 to 29 years, and over 30 years. Adult caregivers will meet in a group with other caregivers. They will discuss their NF1 symptoms; how their tumors look; how they feel about the way their tumors look; and their daily activities. They will give their opinions about 2 questionnaires about appearance. The group and individual meetings will be audio-recorded and transcribed. Information that can reveal individual identities will be removed.

The goal of this observational study is to conduct a prospective assessment of the individual Burden of 9 rare skin diseases to assess disability in the broadest sense of the term (psychological, social, economic and physical) for patients and/or families. Two types of indicators will be used to reach this objective : 1. an individual burden score calculated based on a burden questionnaire created specifically, approved and designed to understand the tendency to changes in care and lifestyles. The burden questionnaire should be used by patients and/or their family themselves in self-assessment. 2. a descriptive analysis of all resources (medical and non-medical) used by the family unit to manage the disease.

The goal of this observational study is to determine if a liquid biopsy (i.e. blood test) is an effective clinical tool for monitoring the development of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) among adults (18 years and older) with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), compared to the current standard of care. The main questions it aims to answer are: How effective is liquid biopsy compared to the current standard of care (clinical surveillance and imaging) for early detection of MPNST development among people with NF1? Can liquid biopsy offer a cost-effective method for early detection of MPNST in people with NF1? Also, can liquid biopsy provide earlier detection that potentially leads to better outcomes? Also, can offering liquid biopsy improve access to care for people experiencing barriers to access (such as minority populations or people in rural areas)? At baseline, participants will be asked to: * Complete surveys to provide their demographic and NF1-related health information. * Report whether or not they are experiencing MPNST-related symptoms. * Provide blood samples (15 mL blood total between three tubes, which is approximately one tablespoon). Every six months during the five-year follow-up period, participants will be asked to: * Complete additional surveys to report whether or not they are experiencing MPNST-related symptoms and/or if they have been diagnosed with a new MPNST. * Provide an additional blood sample (10 mL blood total in one tube). If diagnosed with an MPNST by their healthcare provider during the follow-up period, participants will be asked to: * Complete an additional survey regarding their diagnosis and symptoms. * Provide an additional blood sample (10 mL blood in one tube). * In parallel, the study team will request a sample of tumor tissue from the care provider, if available.