The incidence of cardiomyopathy in <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> mutation carriers after anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose

Breast cancer remains the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 10% of breast cancers are hereditary, with deleterious mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes being the leading cause. Anthracycline chemotherapy, used commonly for breast cancer, carries cardiotoxicity risk. Recent studies demonstrated anthracycline-induced cardiac failure in homozygous BRCA2-deficient mice and increased rates of heart failure in homozygous BRCA1-deficient mice following ischemic insult. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective matched cohort study to determine the rates of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy in breast cancer patients with germline mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes compared to age-matched patients without a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

Methods

The primary endpoint was to determine the rate of cardiomyopathy defined as either congestive heart failure or asymptomatic decline in ejection fraction to <50%. A total of 102 breast cancer patients who were BRCA gene mutation carriers (55 BRCA1, 45 BRCA2, and two with both), who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy were compared to a matched cohort of breast cancer patients with wild-type BRCA gene status.

Results

We found a 4.9% rate of cardiomyopathy in the BRCA mutation carriers and 5.2% in the matched controls (p = 0.99). Cox proportional hazards model showed that only trastuzumab and hypertension were significantly associated with the development of cardiomyopathy in both groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Given the limitations of a retrospective study, we saw no increased risk of cardiotoxicity among breast cancer patients with BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 gene mutations treated with standard doses of anthracycline compared to the general population.

     

Revisiting breast cancer patients who previously tested negative for <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA</Emphasis> mutations using a 12-gene panel

Purpose

BRCA mutations contribute to about 20% of all hereditary breast cancers. With full-genome sequencing as the emerging standard for genetic testing, other breast cancer susceptibility genes have been identified and may collectively contribute to up to 30% of all hereditary breast cancers. We re-assessed women who had previously tested negative for a BRCA mutation when outdated techniques were used, and discuss the implications of identifying a mutation several years after initial genetic testing.

Methods

We evaluated the prevalence of mutations in 12 breast cancer susceptibility genes (including BRCA1 and BRCA2) in 190 breast cancer patients with a strong family history of breast cancer. These women had previously tested negative for mutations in the large coding exons of BRCA1 and BRCA2 using the protein truncation test (PTT) between the years of 1996 and 2013.

Results

We identified pathogenic mutations in 17 of 190 (9%) women. Six mutations were detected in BRCA1 (n = 2) and BRCA2 (n = 4). Eleven mutations were found in other breast cancer susceptibility genes including CHEK2 (n = 5), PALB2 (n = 2), BLM (n = 2), ATM (n = 1) and TP53 (n = 1).

Conclusion

Among 190 breast cancer patients with a family history of the disease, and who previously received a negative result for BRCA mutations using the PTT, 17 (9%) women were found to carry a high-risk pathogenic mutation in a breast cancer susceptibility gene. Six of these women were BRCA mutation carriers who were missed previously. These findings support the rationale for updated genetic testing in patients who tested BRCA mutation negative using outdated techniques.

     

High prevalence of deleterious <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> germline mutations in arab breast and ovarian cancer patients

Purpose

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) genes are heavily involved in mammalian cell DNA repair processes. Germline pathogenic mutations in BRCA increase the lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer in women. In the Arabian Peninsula, most breast and ovarian cancers are diagnosed as early-onset cases, some of which may be due to germline variants in BRCA genes. To identify the BRCA germline mutation frequency and spectrum in the Arab breast and ovarian cancers, we have sequenced the protein-coding exons of these genes.

Methods

All BRCA coding exons were sequenced using genomic DNA isolated from lymphocytes in 173 Arab breast and ovarian cancer patients by a massively parallel sequencing technology and verified by Sanger sequencing.

Results

We identified a total of 17 distinct pathogenic mutations, of which four were novel, in 28 patients; nine out of 108 breast (8.3%) and 19 out of 65 ovarian cancer (29.2%) patients. Thirteen of the 17 mutations were detected in BRCA1 and four mutations were found in BRCA2 gene. Four pathogenic BRCA1 mutations (c.1140dupG, c.4136_4137delCT, c.5095C>T, and c.5530delC) accounted for 54% of all the mutations detected in our patient cohort. Additionally, we identified a likely pathogenic BRCA1 missense variant in two of 108 breast (1.9%) and a BRCA2 missense variant in one of 65 ovarian cancer (1.5%) patients.

Conclusions

The overall frequencies of the BRCA germline mutations were 10.2% in breast and 30.7% in ovarian cancer patients. These data shed new light into the prevalence of BRCA mutations in the Arab women population.

     

Frequency of germline <Emphasis Type="Italic">PALB2</Emphasis> mutations among women with epithelial ovarian cancer

Recent studies suggest that mutations in the partner and localizer of BRCA2 (PALB2) gene may predispose to ovarian cancer. It is of importance to clarify the prevalence and penetrance of PALB2 mutations in an unselected population so that clinical recommendations for prevention can be implemented. We evaluated the prevalence of germline mutations in PALB2 among 1421 epithelial ovarian cancer patients and 4300 European controls from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Exome Sequencing Project dataset. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and survival status was determined by linkage. PALB2 coding exons were sequenced using next generation sequencing technology. Of the 1421 patients, three (0.21 %) had a germline PALB2 mutation compared to two of the 4300 control subjects (0.05 %). The mean age at diagnosis was 59 years (range 55–62) and all three women died within 2 years of diagnosis. A PALB2 mutation was associated with a four-fold, albeit not significant, increased risk of ovarian cancer (OR = 4.55; 95 % CI 0.76–27.24; P = 0.10). These results suggest that germline PALB2 mutations are rare. The true effect of such mutations on ovarian cancer risk require further study before the clinical relevance of inherited PALB2 mutations is established.     

Germline promoter hypermethylation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> genes is not present in hereditary breast cancer patients

Purpose

Germline promoter hypermethylation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is an alternative event of gene silencing that has not been widely investigated in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome.

Methods

We analyzed germline BRCA promoter hypermethylation in HBOC patients with and without BRCA mutations and control subjects, using a recently developed BRCA methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) assay.

Results

Neither the patients tested nor the control subjects showed germline hypermethylation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 promoter regions analyzed.

Conclusions

Despite the results achieved at somatic levels by other researchers, these were not confirmed in our study at the germline level. Our results show the need to establish more predictive CpG sites in the BRCA promoter regions to optimize the MS-MLPA assayfor the detection of germline hypermethylation as an effective pre-screening tool for whole-BRCA genetic analysis in HBOC, because we can not rule out the existence of germline promoter hypermethylation in BRCA.

     

Germline <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA</Emphasis> testing is moving from cancer risk assessment to a predictive biomarker for targeting cancer therapeutics

Purpose

Originally, BRCA testing was used for risk assessment and prevention strategies for breast and ovarian cancer. Nowadays, BRCA status may influence therapeutic decision making at cancer diagnosis. Our objective was to analyze whether the medical advances have changed the burden and pattern of referral, and the pathogenic mutation detection rate.

Methods

We included 969 probands from our hereditary cancer registry who undertook a full BRCA analysis between 2006 and 2014. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables.

Results

The number of genetic tests have raised from 28 to 170, representing a sixfold increase. In 2006, we tested 1.6 relatives/proband while this proportion was four in 2014. Overall, 20 % harbored a deleterious mutation and 11 % had a variant of unknown significance (VUS). There has been a downward trend in the detection rate of VUS. Testing patients with breast cancer during neoadjuvancy has raised from 4 to 25 % (p = 0.002), while testing them during remission has decreased from 79 to 29 % (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients assessed during the first 6 months after their cancer diagnosis has increased from 3 to 34 % (p = 0.001). Risk reducing mastectomy and salpingoophorectomy have raised from 0 to 24 %, and from 36 to 65 %, respectively.

Conclusions

BRCA testing has experienced a sixfold increase, the number of relatives being tested has doubled, and the test is being performed at earlier phases of the disease. It is necessary to adequate the health resources to preserve the BRCA genetic counseling quality while incorporating BRCA testing for therapeutic decision making.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1/BRCA2</Emphasis> founder mutations and cancer risks: impact in the western Danish population

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly contribute to hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer, but the phenotypic effect from different mutations is insufficiently recognized. We used a western Danish clinic-based cohort of 299 BRCA families to study the female cancer risk in mutation carriers and their untested first-degree relatives. Founder mutations were characterized and the risk of cancer was assessed in relation to the specific mutations. In BRCA1, the cumulative cancer risk at age 70 was 35 % for breast cancer and 29 % for ovarian cancer. In BRCA2, the cumulative risk was 44 % for breast cancer and 15 % for ovarian cancer. We identified 47 distinct BRCA1 mutations and 48 distinct mutations in BRCA2. Among these, 8 founder mutations [BRCA1 c.81-?_4986+?del, c.3319G>T (p.Glu1107*), c.3874delT and c.5213G>A (p.Gly1738Glu) and BRCA2 c.6373delA, c.7008?1G>A, c.7617+1G>A and c.8474delC] were found to account for 23 % of the BRCA1 mutations and for 32 % of the BRCA2 mutations. The BRCA1 mutation c.3319G>T was, compared to other BRCA1 mutations, associated with a higher risk for ovarian cancer. In conclusion, founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 contribute to up to one-third of the families in western Denmark and among these the BRCA1 c.3319G>T mutation is potentially linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.     

Metabolic Syndrome Negatively Impacts the Outcome of Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on outcome of patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A retrospective database was compiled consisting of 646 patients who underwent surgery for localized RCC between 2005 and 2014. A total of 439 patients were eligible for final analysis. For diagnosis of MetS, the WHO criteria of 1998 were used. Median follow-up was 32 months (ranging from 2 to 119). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses were performed to compare patients with and without MetS or its components. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). In our cohort, 9.8% (n = 43) of patients were diagnosed with MetS. There were no differences between patients with and without MetS regarding clinicopathological parameters with the exception of patients’ age (p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses revealed a shorter PFS for patients with MetS (p = 0.018), whereas no differences were found for each of the single components of MetS, namely, diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.332), BMI >30 kg/m² (p = 0.753), hypertension (p = 0.451), and hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.891). Logistic regression identified age (HR = 1.92, p = 0.03), tumor stage (HR = 4.37, p < 0.001), grading (HR = 4.57, p < 0.001), nodal status (HR = 3.73, p = 0.04), surgical margin (HR = 1.96, p = 0.04), concomitant sarcomatoid differentiation (HR = 5.06, p < 0.001), and MetS (HR = 1.98, p = 0.04) as independent factors for PFS. For CSS, only age (HR = 2.62, p = 0.035), tumor stage (HR = 3.06, p < 0.02), and grading (HR = 6.83, p < 0.001) were significant. In conclusion, patients with localized RCC and MetS show significantly reduced PFS and might profit from specific consultation and follow-up.     

No evidence of increased breast cancer risk for proven noncarriers from <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> families

In families screened for mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes and found to have a segregating mutation the breast cancer risk for women shown not to carry the family-specific mutation might be at above “average” risk. We assessed the risk of breast cancer in a clinic based cohort of 725 female proven noncarriers in 239 BRCA1 and BRCA2 families compared with birth-matched controls from the Danish Civil Registration System. Prospective analysis showed no significantly increased risk for breast cancer in noncarriers with a hazard ratio of 0.67 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.32–1.42, p = 0.29] for all family members who tested negative and 0.87 (95 % CI 0.38–1.97, p = 0.73) for non-carries who were first-degree relatives of mutation carriers. Proven noncarriers from BRCA1 and BRCA2 families have no markedly increased risk for breast cancer compared to the general population, and our data do not suggest targeted breast cancer surveillance for noncarriers from BRCA1 and BRCA2 families.     

Young age at first pregnancy does protect against early onset breast cancer in <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> mutation carriers

Purpose

Previous research assessing the impact of pregnancy and age at first pregnancy on breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers has produced conflicting results, with some studies showing an increased risk following early first pregnancy in contrast to the reduced risk in the general population of women. The present study addresses these inconsistencies.

Methods

Female BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers from North West England were assessed for breast cancer incidence prior to 50 years of age comparing those with an early first full-term pregnancy (< 21 years) to those without a full-term pregnancy. Breast cancer incidence per decade from 20 years and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed.

Results

2424 female mutation carriers (1278 BRCA1; 1146 BRCA2) developed 990 breast cancers under the age of 50 years. Women who had their first term pregnancy prior to age 21 (n = 441) had a lower cancer incidence especially between age 30–39 years. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed an odds ratio of 0.78 for BRCA1 (p = 0.005) and 0.73 for BRCA2 (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates a clear protective effect of early first pregnancy on breast cancer risk in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">HER2</Emphasis> Amplification Has no Prognostic Value in Sporadic and Hereditary Ovarian Tumours

Whereas HER2 amplification is a well-known phenomenon in breast tumours, its frequency and clinical importance in ovarian cancer have not been established. The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of HER2 amplification in hereditary (BRCA-positive) and sporadic (BRCA-negative) ovarian tumours and to estimate the association of this gene alteration on clinical outcome in ovarian cancer patients. We analysed HER2 amplification in 53 ovarian tumours: 20 from mutation carriers (18 in BRCA1 and 2 in BRCA2 gene) and 33 from non-carriers. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for HER2 was performed on 'touch' slides from frozen tumour samples or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Our results indicate that high amplification (HER2: centromere ratio>5) is an infrequent phenomenon in ovarian tumours (6/53 cases). It occurs in both hereditary (4/20) and sporadic (2/33) tumours and no difference in the frequency of HER2 amplification exists between these groups. There is no significant difference in the clinical outcome of patients with HER2 amplified and non-amplified tumours (p = 0.3). Our results suggest a different biological role of HER2 amplification in ovarian and breast cancer.     

Mutation analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">MUTYH</Emphasis> in Japanese colorectal adenomatous polyposis patients

Germline MUTYH mutations were investigated in 14 Japanese colorectal polyposis patients without germ line adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations. Three patients had a heterozygous IVS10-2A>G MUTYH mutation. The onset of MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) occurs later than that of familial adenomatous polyposis with germline APC mutation. Thus, we compared the carrier frequency of MUTYH IVS10-2A>G heterozygote in the APC mutation negative cases with that in 115 controls over 70 years of age who showed no apparent clinical manifestations of cancer and claimed that they had no history of cancer at the time of enrollment. The frequency of IVS10-2A>G heterozygote in APC germline mutation negative polyposis patients was significantly higher than control subject (p = 0.012, Chi square test). Although the sample size is still too small to conclude, the IVS10-2A>G MUTYH heterozygote might add to the risk of developing germline APC mutation negative polyposis.     

Relationship of immunohistochemistry,copy number aberrations and epigenetic disorders with BRCAness pattern in hereditary and sporadic breast cancer

The study aims to identify the relevance of immunohistochemistry (IHC), copy number aberrations (CNA) and epigenetic disorders in BRCAness breast cancers (BCs). We studied 95 paraffin included BCs, of which 41 carried BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutations and 54 were non hereditary (BRCAX/Sporadic). Samples were assessed for BRCA1ness and CNAs by Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA); promoter methylation (PM) was assessed by methylation-specific-MLPA and the expression of miR-4417, miR-423-3p, miR-590-5p and miR-187-3p by quantitative RT-PCR. IHC markers Ki67, ER, PR, HER2, CK5/6, EGFR and CK18 were detected with specific primary antibodies (DAKO, Denmark). BRCAness association with covariates was performed using multivariate binary logistic regression (stepwise backwards Wald option). BRCA1/2 mutational status (p = 0.027), large tumor size (p = 0.041) and advanced histological grade (p = 0.017) among clinic-pathological variables; ER (p < 0.001) among IHC markers; MYC (p < 0.001) among CNA; APC (p = 0.065), ATM (p = 0.014) and RASSF1 (p = 0.044) among PM; and miR-590-5p (p = 0.001), miR-4417 (p = 0.019) and miR-423 (p = 0.013) among microRNA expression, were the selected parameters significantly related with the BRCAness status. The logistic regression performed with all these parameters selected ER+ as linked with the lack of BRCAness (p = 0.001) and MYC CNA, APC PM and miR-590-5p expression with BRCAness (p = 0.014, 0.045 and 0.007, respectively). In conclusion, the parameters ER expression, APC PM, MYC CNA and miR-590-5p expression, allowed detection of most BRCAness BCs. The identification of BRCAness can help establish a personalized medicine addressed to predict the response to specific treatments.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> deficiency is a recurrent event in early-onset triple-negative breast cancer: a comprehensive analysis of germline mutations and somatic promoter methylation

Purpose

BRCA1 germline mutation is closely associated with triple-negative breast cancer. BRCA deficiency leads to impaired DNA repair and tumor development, and understanding this deficiency, in both hereditary and sporadic scenarios, is of great clinical and biological interest. Here, we investigated germline or somatic events that might lead to BRCA1 impairment in triple-negative breast cancer. We also analyzed the clinical implications associated with BRCA deficiency.

Methods

Next-generation sequencing for the BRCA1/2 genes and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for the BRCA1 gene were performed for mutation screening. A customized bisulfite next-generation sequencing approach was used for assessing BRCA1 promoter methylation status in tumor tissue.

Results

A total of 131 triple-negative cases were assessed, and germline pathogenic variants were detected in 13.0% of all cases and in 26% of cases diagnosed in young women. Most germline pathogenic variants (88.2%) occurred in the BRCA1 gene. BRCA1 promoter hypermethylation was detected in 20.6% of tumors; none of these tumors were in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers. BRCA1 impairment by either germline or somatic events was significantly more frequent in young women (55% in those ≤ 40 years; 33% in those 41–50 years; 22% in those > 50 years of age) and associated with better overall and disease-free survival rates in this group of patients.

Conclusions

BRCA1 deficiency was recurrent in early-onset triple-negative breast cancer in Brazilian patients and associated with improved survival. With the new treatment modalities being investigated, including poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitor therapy, our results suggest that a significant proportion of young women with this subtype of tumor might benefit from PARP inhibitor treatment, which warrants further investigation.

     

Male breast cancer in a multi-gene panel testing cohort: insights and unexpected results

Purpose

Genetic predisposition to male breast cancer (MBC) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to better define the predisposition genes contributing to MBC and the utility of germline multi-gene panel testing (MGPT) for explaining the etiology of MBCs.

Methods

Clinical histories and molecular results were retrospectively reviewed for 715 MBC patients who underwent MGPT from March 2012 to June 2016.

Results

The detection rate of MGPT was 18.1% for patients tested for variants in 16 breast cancer susceptibility genes and with no prior BRCA1/2 testing. BRCA2 and CHEK2 were the most frequently mutated genes (11.0 and 4.1% of patients with no prior BRCA1/2 testing, respectively). Pathogenic variants in BRCA2 [odds ratio (OR) = 13.9; p = 1.92 × 10^?16], CHEK2 (OR = 3.7; p = 6.24 × 10^?24), and PALB2 (OR = 6.6, p = 0.01) were associated with significantly increased risks of MBC. The average age at diagnosis of MBC was similar for patients with (64 years) and without (62 years) pathogenic variants. CHEK2 1100delC carriers had a significantly lower average age of diagnosis (n = 7; 54 years) than all others with pathogenic variants (p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between history of additional primary cancers (non-breast) and family history of male breast cancer for patients with and without pathogenic variants. However, patients with pathogenic variants in BRCA2 were more likely to have a history of multiple primary breast cancers.

Conclusion

These data suggest that all MBC patients regardless of age of diagnosis, history of multiple primary cancers, or family history of MBC should be offered MGPT.

     

Dissimilarity between sporadic,non-BRCA1/2 families and hereditary breast cancer,linked to BRCA genes,in the Tunisian population

Background

Most breast cancers (90 %) are sporadic. Only 5–10 % of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects. BRCA genes are strongly incriminated in the hereditary predisposition to the disease. The purpose of our study was to provide more efficient approach to identify pathogenic BRCA mutation carriers and to determine subgroups within the non-BRCA tumor class.

Methods

Different clinicopathological features, reproductive factors, as well as psychosocial ones were compared in women carrying mutations in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes (12 cases) with non-BRCA1/2 family tumors (36 cases) and age-matched sporadic cases, unselected for family history (44 cases).

Results

A BRCA‐related class was yielded based on age at diagnosis (age ≤ 35 years; p = 0.1), molecular subtypes(the triple-negative subtype was predominant: 43 % of cases; p = 0.025) and age at menarche (p = 0.04). Furthermore, a “probably sporadic” class was distinguished using hormonal contraceptive use (through 30–40 years of age; p = 0.039), the number of full-term pregnancies (age ≥40 years; p = 0.01), age at menopause(age > 50 years; p = 0.04) and psychosocial factors (age ≥ 40 years; p = 0.01). However, analysis of non-BRCA1/2 family tumors indicated that they constitute a heterogeneous class, showing few perceptible differences with sporadic group, but distinct from BRCA1/2 tumors.

Conclusions

In Tunisian population, breast cancer can be classified with a high level of accuracy as sporadic or related to BRCA germline mutations by combining different clinicopathological features and reproductive factors. This can be clinically useful in genetic counseling and decision making for BRCA genetic test.

     

Development of a novel PTT assay for mutation detection in <Emphasis Type="Italic">PALB2</Emphasis> large exons and <Emphasis Type="Italic">PALB2</Emphasis> screening in medullary breast cancer

Beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, PALB2 (Partner and localizer of BRCA2) emerges as the third breast cancer susceptibility gene due to its role in the same DNA repair pathway: homologous recombination. In most populations studied so far, PALB2 mutations are detected in 1–2 % of BRCA negative female patients. PALB2 gene contains 13 exons; exons 4 and 5 consist 65 % of the coding area. We developed a protein truncation test (PTT) for quick screening of truncating pathogenic mutations of these two large exons. Specific primers were de novo, in silico designed and the PTT-PCR products were translated in the presence of biotinylated lysine and detected colorimetrically. The assay was initially tested in 30 patients with hereditary breast cancer, negative for BRCA mutations and then, in 17 patients with the rare medullary breast cancer subtype. Small PALB2 exons were screened with high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRMA) and the large DNA rearrangements with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Any alterations detected were verified by Sanger DNA Sequencing. The developed PTT methodology is highly specific for clinical significant mutations; positive control samples that produce truncated PALB2 peptides were correctly identified and the method was accurate when compared to DNA sequencing. We did not detect any deleterious PALB2 mutation in both groups of patients. HRMA and MLPA were also negative for all tested samples. However, our novel, fast and cost-effective PTT method for pathogenic mutation detection of the two large PALB2 exons can be applied in screening of a large number of breast cancer patients.     

Frequency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> causative founder variants in ovarian cancer patients in South-East Poland

Background

Causative variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are well-established risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer. In Poland, the causative founder variants in the BRCA1 are responsible for a significant proportion of ovarian cancer cases, however, regional differences in the frequencies of various mutations may exist. The spectrum and frequency of BRCA1/2 mutations between ovarian cancer patients have not yet been studied in the region of South-East Poland.

Methods

We examined 158 consecutive unselected cases of ovarian cancer patients from the region of Podkarpacie. We studied 13 Polish causative founder variants in BRCA1 (c.5266dupC, c.4035delA, c.5251C?>?T, c.181 T?>?G, c.676delT, c.68_69delAG, c.3700_3704delGTAAA, c.1687C?>?T, c.3756_3759delGTCT) and in BRCA2 (c.658_659delGT, c.7910_7914delCCTTT, c.3847_3848delGT, c.5946delT).

Results

A BRCA1 causative founder variants were detected in 10 of the 158 (6.3%) ovarian cancer cases. BRCA2 causative founder variants were not observed. The c.5266dupC mutation was detected in 6 patients, c.181 T?>?G mutation in 3 patients and the c.676delT mutation in 1 patient. The median age of diagnosis of the 10 hereditary ovarian cancers was 55.5 years of age.

Conclusions

The frequency of 13 causative founder variants in Podkarpacie was lower than in other regions of Poland. Testing of three BRCA1 mutations (c.5266dupC, c.181 T?>?G, c.676delT) should be considered a sensitive test panel.

     

Psychosocial factors associated with the uptake of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy among <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1/2</Emphasis> mutation noncarriers with newly diagnosed breast cancer

Purpose

Women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer may consider contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) to reduce their future risk of cancer in their unaffected breast. Pre-surgical BRCA1/2 genetic testing can provide valuable risk information to guide this choice. However, little is understood about why BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers, who are generally not at substantially elevated risk of contralateral disease, select CPM.

Methods

We examined the uptake of CPM among breast cancer patients identified as BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers (n = 92) as part of a larger prospective study of the impact of pre-surgical BRCA1/2 testing. Data obtained from self-report questionnaires and patient medical records were used to examine associations between theoretically relevant background and psychosocial factors and BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers’ decisions to undergo CPM.

Results

Among BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers, 25% (n = 23) elected to undergo CPM. Psychosocial factors including a self-reported physician recommendation for CPM, greater perceived contralateral breast cancer risk, and greater perceived benefits of CPM were all significantly associated with the uptake of CPM.

Conclusions

A sizeable minority of BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers choose to undergo CPM after learning their mutation status through pre-surgical genetic testing. BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers’ cognitive perceptions and social influences appear to be important in shaping their decisions regarding CPM. This work highlights the importance of several psychosocial factors in influencing patients’ surgical decisions. Future research is needed that examines the formation of BRCA1/2 mutation noncarriers’ beliefs regarding their disease and available treatment options, and that characterizes the physician-patient communication that occurs in this complex decision-making context.