We previously reported rapid and persistent increases in p16INK4a mRNA expression in the peripheral blood T cells in a small cohort of women receiving anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer, whereas in a second cohort of early stage breast cancer patients who did not receive chemotherapy, p16INK4a expression levels were similar to healthy volunteers (29). The gene discussed is CDKN2A; the disease is breast cancer.