OBJECTIVES:
* Measure the effects of surgery and radiation on concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in women with newly diagnosed stage I-III invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ.
* Measure the effects of chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy on concentrations of hsCRP in these patients.
* Summarize the differences in preoperative to peri-chemotherapy hsCRP concentrations separately for patients who do and who do not receive growth factors during chemotherapy.
* Observe the change in hsCRP concentrations and gene methylation over time with local and systemic treatment in these patients.
* Explore prevalence of baseline and change in methylation in a panel of genes that is known to be frequently and specifically hypermethylated in breast cancer.
OUTLINE: This is a prospective study.
A blood sample is collected at baseline, approximately 1 week after surgery, and at the time of a routine follow-up visit 3-6 months after completion of all local and systemic therapy, except for patients receiving endocrine therapy. For patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, a blood sample is collected prior to beginning chemotherapy and once during the final 2 courses of chemotherapy. For patients receiving radiotherapy, a blood sample is collected during the final 2 weeks of radiotherapy. For patients receiving endocrine therapy, a blood sample is collected between 2 and 6 months after starting endocrine therapy. Patients also complete a questionnaire about overall health and concurrent medications at baseline and during each follow-up visit.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 30 patients will be accrued for this study.
