BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Russian familial breast cancer

We have screened index cases from 25 Russian breast/ovarian cancer families for germ‐line mutations in all coding exons of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, using multiplex heteroduplex analysis. In addition we tested 22 patients with breast cancer diagnosed before age 40 without family history and 6 patients with bilateral breast cancer. The frequency of families with germline mutations in BRCA was 16% (4/25). One BRCA1 mutation, 5382insC, was found in three families. The results of present study, and those of a separate study of 19 breast‐ovarian cancer families, suggest that BRCA1 5382insC is a founder mutation in the Russian population. Three BRCA2 mutations were found in patients with breast cancer without family history: two in young patients and one in patients with bilateral breast cancer. Four novel BRCA2 mutations were identified: three frameshift (695insT, 1528del4, 9318del4) and one nonsense (S1099X). © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in women with familial or early-onset breast/ovarian cancer in the Czech Republic

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for majority of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The complete coding sequence analysis of both genes was carried out in 197 breast/ovarian cancer patients from high-risk families and 53 patients with sporadic breast/ovarian cancer. In summary, 59 mutations (16 different) in BRCA1 and 29 mutations (17 different) in BRCA2 were identified in unrelated breast and/or ovarian index cases. Using the BIC Database numbering, the most frequently found mutations in BRCA1 were c.5385dupC (22 cases), c.3819_3823delGTAAA (8 cases) and c.300T>G (6 cases). The most frequently found mutations in BRCA2 were c.8138_8142delCCTTT (7 cases) and c.8765_8766delAG (7 cases). Altogether, these 5 mutations represented 56.8% of all detected mutations. A broad spectrum of other mutations was detected including four novel mutations (c.2881delA in BRCA1; and c. 6677_6678delAA, c.6982dupT and c.8397_8400dupTGGG in BRCA2). Deleterious mutations were found in 80 (40.6%) of 197 high risk-families, in 6 (37.5%) of 16 patients with sporadic bilateral breast, ovarian or both cancers and in 2 (6.2%) of 32 women with sporadic early-onset unilateral breast cancer. No mutation was detected in 5 cases of sporadic early-onset unilateral ovarian cancer.     

Multiple founder effects and geographical clustering of BRCA1 and BRCA2 families in Finland

In the Finnish breast and ovarian cancer families six BRCA1 and five BRCA2 mutations have been found recurrently. Some of these recurrent mutations have also been seen elsewhere in the world, while others are exclusively of Finnish origin. A haplotype analysis of 26 Finnish families carrying a BRCA1 mutation and 20 families with a BRCA2 mutation indicated that the carriers of each recurrent mutation have common ancestors. The common ancestors were estimated to trace back to 7-36 generations (150-800 years). The time estimates and the geographical clustering of these founder mutations in Finland are in concordance with the population history of this country. Analysis of the cancer phenotypes showed differential ovarian cancer expression in families carrying mutations in the 5' and 3' ends of the BRCA1 gene, and earlier age of ovarian cancer onset in families with BRCA1 mutations compared with families with BRCA2 mutations. The identification of prominent and regional BRCA1 and BRCA2 founder mutations in Finland will have significant impact on diagnostics in Finnish breast and ovarian cancer families. An isolated population with known history and multiple local founder effects in multigenic disease may offer distinct advantages also for mapping novel predisposing genes.     

BRCA2 founder mutation in Slovenian breast cancer families

Linkage analysis has identified BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations as the major cause for cancer predisposition in breast and/or ovarian cancer families. In previous screening efforts on Belgian families we had a BRCA1/2 gene mutation detection rate of 25%.(1) Here we report the results of a BRCA mutation screening in seven high-risk breast/ovarian cancer families from Slovenia. We found a single but highly recurrent BRCA2 splice site mutation (IVS16-2A>G) in three breast cancer-only families. This cancer-linked mutation could not be identified in three families with ovarian cancer, suggesting that the mutation predisposes at least predominantly to breast cancer. All mutation carriers shared a common disease associated haplotype indicating a founder effect. This mutation most probably occurred in a single ancestor and seems essentially confined to the Slovene population.     

Contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations to inherited ovarian cancer

A total of 283 epithelial ovarian cancer families from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) were screened for coding sequence changes and large genomic alterations (rearrangements and deletions) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Deleterious BRCA1 mutations were identified in 104 families (37%) and BRCA2 mutations in 25 families (9%). Of the 104 BRCA1 mutations, 12 were large genomic alterations; thus this type of change represented 12% of all BRCA1 mutations. Six families carried a previously described exon 13 duplication, known to be a UK founder mutation. The remaining six BRCA1 genomic alterations were previously unreported and comprised five deletions and an amplification of exon 15. One of the 25 BRCA2 mutations identified was a large genomic deletion of exons 19-20. The prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations correlated with the extent of ovarian and breast cancer in families. Of 37 families containing more than two ovarian cancer cases and at least one breast cancer case with diagnosis at less than 60 years of age, 30 (81%) had a BRCA1/2 mutation. The mutation prevalence was appreciably less in families without breast cancer; mutations were found in only 38 out of 141 families (27%) containing two ovarian cancer cases only, and in 37 out of 59 families (63%) containing three or more ovarian cancer cases. These data indicate that BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the major susceptibility genes for ovarian cancer but that other susceptibility genes may exist. Finally, it is likely that these data will be of clinical importance for individuals in families with a history of epithelial ovarian cancer, in providing accurate estimates of their disease risks.     

Mutation analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes results in the identification of novel and recurrent mutations in 6/16 flemish families with breast and/or ovarian cancer but not in 12 sporadic patients with early-onset disease. Mutations in brief no. 224. Online

Since the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (MIM#s 113705 and 600185), more than hundred different mutations throughout both genes have been reported. Recurrent mutations are rare and mainly due to founder effects. We analyzed 12 sporadic female patients with breast cancer before age 35, as well as 16 unrelated families, presenting with either (i) at least 3 first degree relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer diagnosed at any age, or (ii) at least 2 first and/or second degree relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer before age 45 years. We performed a protein truncation test for BRCA1 exon 11 and BRCA2 exons 10 and 11 and heteroduplex analysis for all the remaining exons of BRCA1 and 2. Presence of genomic deletions encompassing exons 13 or 22 of BRCA1, known to be Dutch founder mutations, was investigated by PCR. In 6/16 (37.5%) unrelated families the causal mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene was identified. Four different mutations were found in the BRCA1 gene: IVS5+3A>G (intron 5), 1191delC (exon 11), R1443X (exon 13), IVS22+5G>A (intron 22) and two in the BRCA2 gene: 6503delTT (exon 11), 6831delTG (exon 11). 1191delC (BRCA1) and 6831delTG (BRCA2) are novel mutations. IVS5+3A>G in exon 5 of BRCA1 published by Peelen et al. (1997) as a novel Belgian mutation, was identified in one additional family, not fulfilling our inclusion criteria. In the group of 12 sporadic female patients no mutations were found.     

Analysis of breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Thai familial and isolated early-onset breast and ovarian cancer

Here we report the study on BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in 12 Thai breast and/or ovarian cancer families and 6 early-onset breast or breast/ovarian cancer cases without a family history of cancer. Five distinct rare alterations were identified in each gene: four introducing premature stop codons, one in-frame deletion, two missense changes, two intronic alterations and one silent rare variant. The BRCA1 or BRCA2 truncating mutations were detected in four of seven patients with familial or personal history of breast and ovarian cancer, in one of four isolated early onset breast cancer cases and in none of seven breast cancer site specific families. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation yield in Thai patients is consistent with that reported from Europe and North America in similar groups of patients, being particularly high in individuals with personal or family history of breast and ovarian cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 alterations found in this series are different from those identified in other Asian studies, and all but two have never been reported before. We report at least three novel deleterious mutations, the BRCA1 3300delA, BRCA1 744ins20 and BRCA2 6382delT. One in-frame deletion was also found, the BRCA2 5527del9, which seggregated within family members of breast-only cancer patients and was thought to be a cancer-related mutation. BRCA1 3300delA and Asp67Glu alterations were detected each in at least two families and thus could represent founder mutations in Thais.     

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation analysis in 86 early onset breast/ovarian cancer patients.

Eighty-six women fulfilling specific selection criteria were studied for germline mutations in two breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, using the protein truncation test (PTT). Nine germline mutations were identified, six in BRCA1 and three in BRCA2. Of the six BRCA1 mutations, three have previously been described and three are new, and for BRCA2, one is a new mutation and the other two appear to occur at a site that has been described several times. Four kindreds were breast cancer families, one a breast/ovarian cancer family, and the sixth an ovarian cancer family. The three kindreds with BRCA2 mutations were classified as one breast/ovarian cancer family, one breast cancer family, and one family which harboured one early onset breast cancer patient and two melanoma patients. The mutations in BRCA1 were either insertions, deletions, or transitions which all resulted in a premature stop codon. Mutations in BRCA2 were all frameshift mutations as a result of either 2 or 4 bp deletions. Two BRCA2 mutations were identical, suggesting a Swiss founder effect which was confirmed by haplotype sharing. The 10% mutation detection rate is compatible with the relaxed criteria used for patient selection. Considering the relative ease with which coding sequences can be screened by PTT, this assay is useful as a first screen for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.     

Caucasian family with two independent mutations: 2594delC in BRCA1 and 5392delAG in BRCA2 gene

Germline mutations in two breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, predispose individuals to early onset breast and ovarian cancer. The frequency of mutations in these genes in the general population is very low. Therefore, the prior probability of finding any family with mutations in both genes is even lower. This study reports the presence of two mutations, one in BRCA1 and a second in BRCA2, in a single family with variable expression. The BRCA1 mutation, 2594delC, was identified first in the proband. Analysis on a related family member with early onset bilateral breast cancer for the same mutation was negative. Further analysis on the same individual led to the identification of a second germline mutation, 5392delAG in BRCA2 gene in this family. Without the knowledge of the second mutation in this family, many asymptomatic individuals would have been given a negative test result and be falsely reassured. Further analysis reveals differential expression of the two mutations. The spectrum of cancers as well as the age of onset is variable between the mutations and the generations. Finally, the study exemplifies the fact that molecular analysis of a genetically heterogeneous disease can be very complex and requires a team effort of the patients and their family members, genetic counselors or referring physicians as well as the personnel from the testing laboratory.     

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Turkish breast/ovarian cancer patients

In this study we genotyped Turkish breast/ovarian cancer patients for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations: protein truncation test (PTT) for exon 11 BRCA1 of and, multiplex PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for BRCA2, complemented by DNA sequencing. In addition, a modified restriction assay was used for analysis of the predominant Jewish mutations: 185delAG, 5382InsC, Tyr978X (BRCA1) and 6174delT (BRCA2). Eighty three breast/ovarian cancer patients were screened: twenty three had a positive family history of breast/ovarian cancer, ten were males with breast cancer at any age, in eighteen the disease was diagnosed under 40 years of age, one patient had ovarian cancer in addition to breast cancer and one patient had ovarian cancer. All the rest (n=30) were considered sporadic breast cancer cases. Overall, 3 pathogenic mutations (3/53-5.7%) were detected, all in high risk individuals (3/23-13%): a novel (2990insA) and a previously described mutation (R1203X) in BRCA1, and a novel mutation (9255delT) in BRCA2. In addition, three missense mutations [two novel (T42S, N2742S) and a previously published one (S384F)] and two neutral polymorphisms (P9P, P2532P) were detected in BRCA2. Notably none of the male breast cancer patients harbored any mutation, and none of the tested individuals carried any of the Jewish mutations. Our findings suggest that there are no predominant mutations within exon 11 of the BRCA1 and in BRCA2 gene in Turkish high risk families.     

Founder BRCA1 mutations and two novel germline BRCA2 mutations in breast and/or ovarian cancer families from North-Eastern Poland

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for the majority of high-risk breast/ovarian cancer families, depending on the population studied. Previously, BRCA1 mutations were described in women from Western Poland. To further characterize the spectrum of BRCA1 mutations and the impact of BRCA2 mutations in Poland, we have analyzed 25 high-risk breast and/or ovarian cancer families from North-Eastern Poland for mutations in all coding exons of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, using combined heteroduplex analysis/SSCP followed by direct DNA sequence analysis. Out of 25 probands a total of five (20%) carried three recurrent BRCA1 mutations (300T>G, 3819del5, 5382insC). The 300T>G mutation accounted for 60% (3/5) of BRCA1 mutations and allelotyping suggested a common founder of this mutation. No unique mutations were found. In addition, we identified three BRCA2 (12%) mutations, one recurrent 4075delGT, and two novel frameshift mutations, 7327ins/dupl19 and 9068delA. We conclude that 30% of high-risk families from North-Eastern Poland may be due to recurrent BRCA1 and unique BRCA2 mutations. Intriguingly, the BRCA1 mutation spectrum seems to be different within subregions of Poland.     

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations among 233 unselected Finnish ovarian carcinoma patients.

Germline mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 predispose to hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome. In Finland, 20 different BRCA1/2 mutations have been identified, and 13 of them are founder mutations that account for the vast majority of Finnish BRCA1/2 families. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations in unselected Finnish ovarian carcinoma patients and to evaluate the relationship between mutation carrier status and personal/family history of cancer. Two hundred and thirty-three patients were screened for all the 20 BRCA1/2 mutations known in the Finnish population. Additionally, a subgroup of patients with personal history of breast cancer and/or family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer was screened for novel BRCA1/2 mutations. Thirteen patients (5.6%) had mutations: eleven in BRCA1 and two in BRCA2. All the mutation-positive patients were carriers of the previously known Finnish BRCA1/2 mutations, and seven recurrent founder mutations accounted for 12 of the 13 mutations detected. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds of mutation for ovarian carcinoma patients. The most significant predictor of a mutation was the presence of both breast and ovarian cancer in the same woman, but family history of breast cancer was also strongly related to mutation carrier status. Although BRCA1/2 mutation testing is not warranted in the general Finnish ovarian cancer patient population, patients who have also been diagnosed with breast cancer or have family history of breast or breast and ovarian cancer could benefit from referral to genetic counselling and mutation testing.     

De novo recurrent germline mutation of the BRCA2 gene in a patient with early onset breast cancer

Germline mutations in either of the two major breast cancer predisposition genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, account for a significant proportion of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. Identification of breast cancer patients carrying mutations of these genes is primarily based on a positive family history of breast/ovarian cancer or early onset of the disease or both. In the course of mutation screening of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in a hospital based series of patients with risk factors for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer, we identified a germline mutation in the BRCA2 gene (3034del4) in a patient with early onset breast cancer and no strong family history of the disease. Subsequent molecular analysis in her parents showed that neither of them carried the mutation. Paternity was confirmed using a set of highly polymorphic markers, showing that the proband carried a de novo germline mutation in the BRCA2 gene. Interestingly, 3034del4 is a recurrent mutation occurring in a putative mutation prone region of the BRCA2 gene. Our study presents the first case in which a de novo germline mutation in the BRCA2 gene has been identified, and supports previous results of haplotype studies, confirming that the 3034del4 mutation has multiple independent origins.


Keywords: breast cancer; BRCA2 gene; de novo mutation     

Founder BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in French Canadian ovarian cancer cases unselected for family history

The breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, differ in their contribution to ovarian cancer. Recently, founder mutations in each of these genes were identified in Canadian breast cancer and breast ovarian cancer families of French ancestry. We have examined the prevalence of the founder mutations in a series of 113 French Canadian women with ovarian cancer unselected for family history. Germline mutations were found in eight of 99 invasive carcinomas and in none of the 14 tumors of borderline malignancy. Five cases carried the BRCA1 C4446T mutation and two cases carried the BRCA2 8765delAG mutation which are the most common mutations that have been described in French Canadian breast cancer and breast ovarian cancer families. All of these cases reported a family history of at least one first-degree relative with breast cancer, diagnosed below age 60 years, or with ovarian cancer. The identification of founder BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in ovarian cancer cases unselected for family history can facilitate carrier detection when the expected yield of a comprehensive screen may be low.     

Screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Eastern Finnish breast/ovarian cancer families

Familial aggregation is thought to account for 5-10% of all breast cancer cases, and high penetrance breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 explain < or =20% of these. Hundreds of mutations among breast/ovarian cancer families have been found in these two genes. The mutation spectrum and prevalence, however, varies widely among populations. Thirty-six breast/ovarian cancer families were identified from a population sample of breast and ovarian cancer cases among a relatively isolated population in Eastern Finland, and the frequency of BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutations were screened using heteroduplex analysis, protein truncation test and sequencing. Five different mutations were detected in seven families (19.4%). Two mutations were found in BRCA1 and three in BRCA2. One of the mutations (BRCA2 4088insA) has not been detected elsewhere in Finland while the other four, 4216-2nt A-->G and 5370 C-->T in BRCA1 and 999del5 and 6503delTT in BRCA2, are recurrent Finnish founder mutations. These results add to the evidence of the geographical differences in distribution of Finnish BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations. This screen also provides further evidence for the presumption that the majority of Finnish BRCA1/BRCA2 founder mutations have been found and that the proportion of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in Finnish breast/ovarian cancer families is around 20%.     

中国乳腺癌患者BRCA1基因的频发突变5589del8

目的研究在中国大陆乳腺癌人群中是否存在BRCAI／2基因突变的“热点”。方法研究对象为来自全国4个乳腺癌医疗中心的177例家族性和早发性乳腺癌患者和426例散发性乳腺癌患者,根据前期研究中已发现的BRCAI／2基因突变位点,应用变性高效液相色谱分析和DNA测序技术对这些患者进行已知位点的突变检测。结果在前期研究的70例家族性和早发性乳腺癌患者和本研究的177例患者（共247例）中,共发现3例BRCAl5589del8突变的携带者,在426例散发性乳腺癌患者中也发现了2例BRCAl5589del8突变的携带者。单倍型分析的结果显示这5例患者具有相近甚至相同的单倍型。结论BRCAl5589del8突变是中国人群中BRCAl基因的频发突变,它是否是中国人群中的“始祖突变”仍需进一步研究证实。     

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation analysis of early-onset and familial breast cancer cases in Mexico

The entire coding regions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were screened for mutations by heteroduplex analysis in 51 Mexican breast cancer patients. One BRCA1 and one BRCA2 truncating mutation each was identified in the group of 32 (6%) early-onset breast cancer patients (< or =35 years). Besides these two likely deleterious mutations, eight rare variants of unknown significance, mostly in the BRCA2 gene, were detected in six of 32 (19%) early-onset breast cancer cases and in three of 17 (18%) site-specific breast cancer families, one containing a male breast cancer case. No mutations or rare sequence variants have been identified in two additional families including each an early-onset breast cancer case and an ovarian cancer patient. The two truncating mutations (BRCA1 3857delT; BRCA2 2663-2664insA) and six of the rare variants have never been reported before and may be of country-specific origin. The majority of the alterations appeared to be distinct, with only one of them being observed in more than one family.     

Novel germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Indian breast and breast-ovarian cancer families

The two major hereditary breast/ovarian cancer predisposition tumor suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 that perform apparently generic cellular functions nonetheless cause tissue-specific syndromes in the human population when they are altered, or mutated in the germline. However, little is known about the contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations to breast and/or ovarian cancers in the Indian population. We have screened for mutations the entire BRCA1 and BRCA2 coding sequences, and intron-exon boundaries, as well as their flanking intronic regions in sixteen breast or breast and ovarian cancer families of Indian origin. We have also analyzed 20 female patients with sporadic breast cancer regardless of age and family history, and 69 unrelated normal individuals as control. Thus a total of 154 samples were screened for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations using a combination of polymerase chain reaction-mediated site directed mutagenesis (PSM), polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformation polymorphism assay (PCR-SSCP) and direct DNA sequencing of PCR products (DS). Twenty-one sequence variants including fifteen point mutations were identified. Five deleterious pathogenic, protein truncating frameshift and non-sense mutations were detected in exon 2 (c.187_188delAG); and exon 11 (c.3672G>T) [p.Glu1185X] of BRCA1 and in exon 11 (c.5227dupT, c.5242dupT, c.6180dupA) of BRCA2 (putative mutations - four novel) as well as fourteen amino acid substitutions were identified. Twelve BRCA1 and BRCA2 missense variants were identified as unique and novel. In the cohort of 20 sporadic female patients no mutations were found.     

Low frequency of BRCA1 germline mutations in 45 German breast/ovarian cancer families.

In this study we investigated 45 German breast/ovarian cancer families for germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene. We identified four germline mutations in three breast cancer families and in one breast-ovarian cancer family. among these were one frameshift mutation, one nonsense mutation, one novel splice site mutation, and one missense mutation. The missense mutation was also found in 2.8% of the general population, suggesting that it is not disease associated. The average age of disease onset in those families harbouring causative mutations was between 32.3 and 37.4 years, whereas the family harbouring the missense mutation had an average age of onset of 51.2 years. These findings show that BRCA1 is implicated in a small fraction of breast/ovarian cancer families suggesting the involvement of another susceptibility gene(s).