Study of Tumor and Blood Samples From Postmenopausal Women With Primary Breast Cancer Enrolled on Clinical Trial CAN-NCIC-MA27

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To identify genetic variation, as measured by single nucleotide polymorphisms, that is associated with musculoskeletal adverse events in specimens from postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive primary breast cancer receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and enrolled on clinical trial CAN-NCIC-MA27.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

DNA from tumor tissue and blood specimens that have been previously collected from patients are analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed invasive breast cancer

• Complete resection of primary tumor
• Stage I-III (T1-3, N0-3, M0) disease
• Enrolled in clinical trial CAN-NCIC-MA27.
• No locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer
• Hormone receptor status:

• Estrogen receptor- or progesterone receptor-positive disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Postmenopausal status, defined as one of the following:

• At least 60 years old
• Age 45-59 years with spontaneous cessation of menses for > 12 months prior to chemotherapy or study randomization
• Age 45-59 years with cessation of menses for < 12 months or secondary to hysterectomy AND a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level in the postmenopausal range (or > 34.4 IU/L)
• Age 45-59 years on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and discontinued HRT at diagnosis of breast cancer AND FSH level in the postmenopausal range (or > 34.4 IU/L)
• Bilateral oophorectomy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics