In a nutshell
This study investigated whether there were any connections between the age of diagnosis, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, and outcomes in breast cancer patients with mutations (permanent changes) to their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Authors found that ER status affected outcomes in patients with BRCA1 gene mutations.
Some background
The most inherited forms of breast cancer involve a change in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These two genes usually help prevent tumor growth. If they mutate (change), this can increase the risk of breast cancer (50-80% risk of getting breast cancer). Mutations in these genes are responsible for around 15% of hereditary breast cancers. They usually occur in younger women.
Whether age when first diagnosed, or ER status or PR status (estrogen and progesterone are hormones that can help cancer cells grow faster and spread) affect the final outcomes in breast cancer patients with a BRCA mutation is not known.
Methods & findings
The study reviewed 16 previous studies, including 10,180 patients. 1325 of these patients had BRCA mutations. Patient age at diagnosis, and the ER and PR status were analyzed to assess if there was any connection with either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutated gene.
Overall, the presence of a BRCA mutation was not associated with cancer outcome or survival rates. Worse outcomes were noted in patients with a BRCA1 mutation and ER-dependent breast cancer.
The bottom line
The study concluded that there was no difference in overall survival rates in patients with BRCA gene mutations. There was an association between ER status and overall survival in patients with BRCA1 gene mutations.
The fine print
This study was a meta-analysis and there was potential for selection bias.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
May 05, 2016
