Observational StudyCollection of Blood From Patients With Prostate Cancer

Background:

• It is not fully understood why prostate cancer in some men becomes androgen-independent (no longer responds to anti-androgen medication), but genetics likely plays an important role.
• Genes contain the hereditary information that is passed down from parents to children. Although everyone has the same set of genes, individuals can have different forms of the same gene.
• Differences in genes may explain, at least in part, why some people develop a more aggressive form of prostate cancer than others.

Objectives:

-To obtain blood samples from patients with prostate cancer to try to identify gene differences associated with progression to the androgen independent state.

Eligibility:

-All participants participating in NCI prostate cancer protocols.

Design:

• Participants with prostate cancer are evaluated in the NCI s Medical Oncology Clinic.
• Blood samples are collected at the initial visit or at follow-up visits.
• DNA (genetic material) and white blood cells are extracted from these samples to be used for genotyping and establishment of cell lines.
• Gene variations are correlated with prostate cancer prognosis and prognostic indicators.