The CHEK2 1100delC allelic variant is not present in familial and sporadic breast cancer cases from Moroccan population

A comparative anticancer study on procyanidin C1 against receptor positive and receptor negative breast cancer

Albezia odoratissima has many health benefits. The present study investigated the isolation, characterization and anticancer activity of procyanidin C1 from A. odoratissima bark. Procyanidin C1 was isolated and characterized by IR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H NMR and LC-MS spectroscopic studies. Anticancer property of procyanidin C1 was explored by studying the expression of checkpoint kinases, Bcl-2 and BAX, cell cycle, DNA damage and caspase 3 and 9 levels. Procyanidin C1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against TNBC (MDA-MB- 231), hormone positive (MCF-7) cell lines. Its IC₅₀ value is comparable to tamoxifen towards MDA-MB- 231 cell line, but considerably higher towards MCF-7 cell line. Procyanidin C1 induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and enhanced the expression of checkpoint kinases. Procyanidin C1 decreased the level of Bcl-2 but increased the BAX, caspase 3 and 9 expression in cancer cells. This study indicates the antiproliferative property of procyanidin C1 against breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis.

CHEK2 Germ Line Mutations are Lacking among Familial and Sporadic Breast Cancer Patients in Rwanda

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequent neoplasm and the second leading cause of cancer death among females. It dominates in both developed and developing countries and represents a major public health problem. The etiology is multifactorial and involves exogenous agents as well as endogenous factors. Although they account for only a small fraction of the breast cancer burden, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are known to confer a high risk predisposition. Mutations in moderate/low-penetrance genes may also contribute to breast cancer risk. Previous studies have shown that mutations in the CHEK2 gene are involved in breast cancer susceptibility due to its impact on DNA repair processes and replication checkpoints. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequencies of three germline mutations in CHEK2 gene (c.1100delC, R145W and I157T) in breast cancers in Rwanda. Using direct DNA sequencing, we analyzed 41 breast cancer patients and 42 normal breast controls but could not detect any positives. CHEK2 mutations may be a rare event in Rwandan population and may only play a minor if an role in breast cancer predisposition among familial and sporadic cases.