Gene Expression in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Bevacizumab

Alternative Splice Forms of VEGF in Colorectal Cancer - Possible Value in Anti-VEGF Therapy

RATIONALE: Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help doctors understand how patients respond to treatment.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study is looking at gene expression in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer receiving bevacizumab.

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine whether the balance of splice form expression alters susceptibility of tumors in vivo to respond to anti-VEGF therapy.

OUTLINE: Tumor tissue samples collected on clinical trial E-3200 are analyzed for laboratory endpoints.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Tumor tissue samples available from patients with advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum

  • Receiving bevacizumab on clinical trial E-3200

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics