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Published on: August 12, 2015
Aurora-A amplification associated with BRCA2 mutation in breast tumours
Sigridur K Bodvarsdottir1, Holmfridur Hilmarsdottir, Valgerdur Birgisdottir
1Icelandic Cancer Society, Skogarhlid 8, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland; University of Iceland, Department of Medicine, Vatnsmyrarvegi 16, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
Aurora-A amplification is more common in breast tumors with BRCA2 mutations. This suggests that Aurora-A targeted therapy may be effective for BRCA2 or TP53 mutated breast cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- BRCA2 mutations are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Aurora-A kinase is a potential therapeutic target in cancer.
- The interplay between BRCA2 mutations and Aurora-A amplification in breast tumorigenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential interaction between Aurora-A amplification and BRCA2 mutations in breast tumors.
- To explore the association of Aurora-A amplification with TP53 mutations in non-BRCA2 mutated tumors.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to study Aurora-A amplification.
- Analysis was performed on breast tumor samples from BRCA2 mutation carriers and non-carriers.
- Metaphase chromosome analysis was conducted on breast epithelial cell lines.
Main Results:
- Aurora-A amplification was significantly more frequent in breast tumors from BRCA2 mutation carriers (p=0.0005).
- Extensive Aurora-A amplification was observed in cell lines with the BRCA2 mutation.
- A significant association was found between Aurora-A amplification and TP53 mutations in non-BRCA2 carrier tumors (p=0.007).
Conclusions:
- Breast tumors with BRCA2 mutations exhibit a higher prevalence of Aurora-A amplification.
- The findings suggest that breast tumors with BRCA2 or TP53 mutations may respond well to Aurora-A targeted treatments.
- Aurora-A amplification represents a potential predictive biomarker for targeted therapy in specific breast cancer subtypes.
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