Study of Blood Samples in Patients With Breast Cancer

Search for Genetic Factors Predictive of Response to Chemotherapy in Patients With or Who Has a Mammary Adenocarcinoma in Neo-adjuvant or Metastatic Setting

RATIONALE: Studying the genes expressed in samples of blood from patients with cancer may help doctors identify biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help doctors predict how patients will respond to chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying blood samples in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify constitutional gene variants associated with a change in response.

OUTLINE: Blood samples are collected periodically for analysis of genetic factors.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed breast carcinoma
• Received first-line chemotherapy (in neoadjuvant or metastatic setting) comprising anthracyclines and/or taxanes, including for a second primary cancer
• Patient agrees to conservative surgery
• Hormone receptor status not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Menopausal status not specified
• No contraindication for chemotherapy comprising anthracyclines and/or taxanes

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior adjuvant therapy