BRCA Screening and Identification of a Common Haplotype in the Jewish Community of Rome Reveal a Founder Effect for...

Cancer risk-reducing strategies in Ashkenazi women carrying founder variants have a cost-effective effect on reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. The British and US guidelines recommend BRCA1/2 (BRCA) screening among Ashkenazi Jewish people to identify high-risk individuals. BRCA status has not been investigated yet in the Jewish community of Rome.

Patients were selected from the Family Cancer Clinic of the Umberto I University Hospital of Rome, and 38 unrelated families (28 of Roman Jewish and 10 of Libyan Jewish origin) were enrolled, comprising 44 subjects diagnosed with breast and/or ovarian cancer. Genetic counseling and germline BRCA testing were conducted. Haplotype analysis was performed.

Of the probands, 26.5% (9/34) from 7/28 unrelated families (25%) in the Jewish community of Rome harbored the known BRCA2 c.7007G>C, p. (Arg2336Pro) variant (rs28897743). Genetic analysis of the four unrelated carriers revealed a shared haplotype, indicating a potential founder effect. The length of the haplotype might confirm the Roman community to be the oldest among Jewish communities in Europe.

This study indicates the BRCA2 c.7007G>C variant found in the Jewish community of Rome to be a founder variant. Finally, we underline a pressing need to address the increased risk of carrying BRCA mutations among individuals with Jewish heritage, and to enhance genetic counseling and screening efforts in ethnic minorities that are not otherwise routinely reached.