Genetic Analysis to Evaluate the Racial Difference in the Outcome of Patients With Colon Cancer

Genetic Analysis to Evaluate the Racial Difference in the Outcome of Patients With Colon Cancer

This is a retrospective genetic analysis of stored tumor tissue samples to evaluate the distribution of Recurrence Score® and gene groups of stage II colon cancer in African American (AA) and Caucasian individuals. Other covariant factors in the medical chart will be analyzed as well. Three institutions will contribute patients to this study with a total patient number goal of approximately 200 with approximately 100 being AA and approximately 100 being Caucasian. As enrollment in this study proceeds a Caucasian subject will be matched for every African American enrolled.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects must be 18 years of age or older.
• Subjects must be AA or Caucasian.
• Subjects with pathologic stage II colon cancer; Irrespective of number of nodes examined.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients of races other than AA or Caucasian.
• No tumor block available from initial diagnosis.
• No tumor or very little tumor (<5% tumor present) in block as assessed by examination of the H&E slide by the Genomic Health, Inc (GHI) - designated pathologist.
• Tumor types other than adenocarcinoma NOS (not otherwise specified) and mucinous carcinoma as assessed by examination of the H&E slide by the GHI-designated pathologist.
• Insufficient RNA (<5 ng/μL or 300 ng) for RT-PCR (radiation therapy - pathologic complete response) analysis.
• Failure of assay to meet pre-specified quality control (QC) specifications.