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Barili V, Ambrosini E, Bortesi B, Minari R, De Sensi E, Cannizzaro IR, Taiani A, Michiara M, Sikokis A, Boggiani D, Tommasi C, Serra O, Bonatti F, Adorni A, Luberto A, Caggiati P, Martorana D, Uliana V, Percesepe A, Musolino A, Pellegrino B. Genetic Basis of Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Approaches and Lessons Learnt from Three Decades of Inherited Predisposition Testing. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:219. [PMID: 38397209 PMCID: PMC10888198 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Germline variants occurring in BRCA1 and BRCA2 give rise to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome, predisposing to breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers marked by elevated incidences of genomic aberrations that correspond to poor prognoses. These genes are in fact involved in genetic integrity, particularly in the process of homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair, a high-fidelity repair system for mending DNA double-strand breaks. In addition to its implication in HBOC pathogenesis, the impairment of HR has become a prime target for therapeutic intervention utilizing poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. In the present review, we introduce the molecular roles of HR orchestrated by BRCA1 and BRCA2 within the framework of sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. We examine the genetic architecture underneath breast and ovarian cancer ranging from high- and mid- to low-penetrant predisposing genes and taking into account both germline and somatic variations. Finally, we consider higher levels of complexity of the genomic landscape such as polygenic risk scores and other approaches aiming to optimize therapeutic and preventive strategies for breast and ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Barili
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Ambrosini
- Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bortesi
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Minari
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Erika De Sensi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Antonietta Taiani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Michiara
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Angelica Sikokis
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Daniela Boggiani
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Tommasi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Olga Serra
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonatti
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessia Adorni
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Anita Luberto
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Davide Martorana
- Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Vera Uliana
- Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Percesepe
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonino Musolino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Benedetta Pellegrino
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Breast Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
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