Microarray Analysis for Human Genetic Disease

This study will look at genetic changes which occur in the development of male and female
breast cancer and other cancer. It will use a new technology called DNA microarray
hybridization that looks at a wide array of genes to identify disease-associated patterns in
the human genome (complete set of human genes). Numerous studies have linked particular
genes to a given disease, but there is very little information on patterns of gene
expression (production of proteins from genetic coding) in the entire human genome.

Pinpointing genetic abnormalities in disease may help classify different forms of cancer and
perhaps lead to new avenues of treatment or prevention. A primary goal of this study will be
to create a database of gene expression for human cancers and other disorders that will
provide the basis for finding genetic abnormalities in disease.

Tumors specimens used in this study will be taken from tissues biopsied from patients with
breast, colon cancer, sarcomas or melanoma as part of their routine care. Patients in the
study will be among those receiving care at the: Department of Oncology, University
Hospital, University of Lund, Sweden (breast cancer); Department of Medicine, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (breast cancer); Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute,
Bethesda, Maryland (melanoma), Johns Hopkins Univ. (colon cancer), Memorial Sloan Kettering
(sarcoma).

Patients in the study will have a family history taken and will complete a questionnaire.
Some patients will be asked to have a blood test. Breast cancer patients will have a
mammogram if one has not been done within the last year.