A new mutation of BRCA2 gene in an Italian healthy woman with familial breast cancer history. Fam Cancer. 2011;10:65-71. [PMID: 20878484 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-010-9389-7]

Detection of false positive mutations in BRCA gene by next generation sequencing

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are implicated in 20-25% of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. New age sequencing platforms have revolutionized massively parallel sequencing in clinical practice by providing cost effective, rapid, and sensitive sequencing. This study critically evaluates the false positives in multiplex panels and suggests the need for careful analysis. We employed multiplex PCR based BRCA1 and BRCA2 community Panel with ion torrent PGM machine for evaluation of these mutations. Out of all 41samples analyzed for BRCA1 and BRCA2 five were found with 950_951 insA(Asn319fs) at Chr13:32906565 position and one sample with 1032_1033 insA(Asn346fs) at Chr13:32906647, both being frame-shift mutations in BRCA2 gene. 950_951 insA(Asn319fs) mutation is reported as pathogenic allele in NCBI dbSNP. On examination of IGV for all these samples, it was seen that both mutations had 'A' nucleotide insertion at 950, and 1032 position in exon 10 of BRCA2 gene. Sanger Sequencing did not confirm these insertions. Next-generation sequencing shows great promise by allowing rapid mutational analysis of multiple genes in human cancer but our results indicate the need for careful sequence analysis to avoid false positive results.

A novel loss-of-function heterozygous BRCA2 c.8946_8947delAG mutation found in a Chinese woman with family history of breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is the most frequent female malignancy worldwide. Among them, some cases have hereditary susceptibility in two leading genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Heterozygous germ line mutations in them are related with increased risk of breast, ovarian and other cancer, following autosomal dominant inheritance mode.

METHODS AND RESULTS

For purpose of early finding, early diagnosis and early treatment, mutation detecting of BRCA1/2 genes was performed in unselected 300 breast or ovarian patients and unaffected women using next-generation sequencing and then confirmed by Sanger sequencing. A non-previously reported heterozygous mutation c.8946_8947delAG (p.D2983FfsX34) of BRCA2 gene was identified in an unaffected Chinese woman with family history of breast cancer (her breast cancer mother, also carrying this mutation). The BRCA2-truncated protein resulted from the frame shift mutation was found to lose two putative nuclear localization signals and a Rad51-binding motif in the extreme C-terminal region by bioinformatic prediction. And then in vitro experiments showed that nearly all the mutant protein was unable to translocate to the nucleus to perform DNA repair activity. This novel mutant BRCA2 protein is dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

We classify the mutation into disease causing and conclude that it is the risk factor for breast cancer in this family. So, conducting the same mutation test and providing genetic counseling for this family is practically meaningful and significant. Meanwhile, the identification of this new mutation enriches the Breast Cancer Information Core database, especially in China.

New targeted therapies for breast cancer: A focus on tumor microenvironmental signals and chemoresistant breast cancers

Breast cancer is the most frequent female malignancy worldwide. Current strategies in breast cancer therapy, including classical chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies, are usually associated with chemoresistance and serious adverse effects. Advances in our understanding of changes affecting the interactome in advanced and chemoresistant breast tumors have provided novel therapeutic targets, including, cyclin dependent kinases, mammalian target of rapamycin, Notch, Wnt and Shh. Inhibitors of these molecules recently entered clinical trials in mono- and combination therapy in metastatic and chemo-resistant breast cancers. Anticancer epigenetic drugs, mainly histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, also entered clinical trials. Because of the complexity and heterogeneity of breast cancer, the future in therapy lies in the application of individualized tailored regimens. Emerging therapeutic targets and the implications for personalized-based therapy development in breast cancer are herein discussed.

A comprehensive focus on global spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer of women all over the world. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations comprise the most important genetic susceptibility of BC. Except for few common mutations, the spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is heterogeneous in diverse populations. 185AGdel and 5382insC are the most important BRCA1 and BRCA2 alterations which have been encountered in most of the populations. After those Ashkenazi founder mutations, 300T>G also demonstrated sparse frequency in African American and European populations. This review affords quick access to the most frequent alterations among various populations which could be helpful in BRCA screening programs.