[Molecular basis of breast cancer related to BRCA 1 and BRCA2 genes: characteristics and targeting therapy]

Breast cancer is one of the most frequent tumors in women, and BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes play a major role in the hereditary susceptibility for this disease. Until the age of 70 women carrying a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a 45-85% probability of developing breast cancer, and 11-62% probability of developing ovarian cancer. Mutation carrier's tumors contain nonfunctional BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which in healthy cells are involved in DNA repair. These tumors show an increased sensitivity to DNA damaging chemical agents and to PARP (poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase1) inhibitors. New targeted therapies already in use are directed toward tumors of mutation carriers. Successful treatment is most likely to be achieved through cooperation of a pathologist, oncologist and a genetic laboratory performing BRCA genes mutation screening.