Evaluation of the Predictive and Prognostic Value of Germ-line Polymorphisms in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Overview

This is a multicenter, non-randomized, prospective cohort study. The purpose of the study is to identify germ line genetic factors that influence the risk of metastatic breast cancer. 1500 patients will be enrolled in this study. Blood samples will be collected after informed consent and inclusion in the study. Patients will be treated and followed according to the standards of their treating center. They will be followed during at least 5 years every 6 months for 3 years then every year.

The StoRM trial is designed for analysis in association with the SIGNAL study which aims to decipher the genetic risk of breast cancer displaying amplification of the HER2 gene as well as resistance or toxicity to adjuvant treatments. SIGNAL study is in the process of recruiting 6000 localized breast cancer patients. The purpose of the StoRM trial is to create a cohort of 1500 patients with metastatic breast cancer including detailed epidemiologic and treatment data. Using germ line polymorphisms in these patients and comparing them to patients with localized cancer from the SIGNAL study, the investigators will answer questions specific to the genetic influence on the prognosis of breast cancer and its response to treatments in the metastatic phase. Blood samples will be collected in one 6 ml EDTA and one 6 ml ACD tube after informed consent and inclusion in the study. To simplify the evolution of the study and to avoid all confusion, the sample collection procedures followed will be identical to those used in the SIGNAL study. As the samples are received at the biological resource center, the plasma will be aliquoted into a 500 µl tube and frozen at -80° C. DNA will be extracted using standard protocols. Plasma and DNA will be stored in anticipation of genetic analyses. An aliquot of the DNA sample will be genotyped for a panel of high-density genetic markers covering the whole genome, for genome-wide association studies. The collected plasma may also be used for analyses to determine the expression profile of proteins, alone or combined with genetic factors that allow distinguishing between groups of patients.