BRCA1 and BRCA2 Germline Mutation Analysis in Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Families from the Aures Region (Eastern Algeria): First Report.

Breast cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among Algerian women. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mutation spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) families from the Aures region (eastern Algeria). High risk breast/ovarian cancer families were selected from overall 1162 consecutive patients collected from cancer registry of anticancer center of Batna. Breast cancers were diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. Recurrent mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 previously found in Algerian patients were screened using PCR-direct sequencing in 113 HBOC families. In addition, for the first time in Algeria, HBOC patients were analyzed by NGS using a cancer panel of 30 hereditary cancer genes or BRCA1/2 genetic test. Six distinct deleterious mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 and a new VUS in PALB2 were detected in ten patients. Two distinct BRCA2 pathogenic variants c.1813dupA and c.8485C > T detected in two young female triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, respectively, with a family history of male breast cancer, are reported here for the first time in Algerian population. Interestingly, we also detected a BRCA exon 15 deletion in two unrelated young female TNBC patients with strong family history of breast/ovarian cancer. Our study showed differences in the distribution of the mutation spectrum of BRCA genes between the Aures region and the north central region of Algeria. Our results will contribute in the implementation of genetic counseling and testing for patients and families at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Correction to: BRCA1 and BRCA2 Germline Mutation Analysis in Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Families from the Aures Region (Eastern Algeria): First Report.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error in the abstract section and Figure 2h image.

ADRA2A Germline Gene Polymorphism is Associated to the Severity, but not to the Risk, of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) prognosis and risk were associated to obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Two Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of the adrenergic receptor-2a gene (ADRA2A): rs1800544 and rs553668, have been associated to these metabolic disorders. We investigated these SNPs in BC risk and prognosis. A total of 102 BC patients and 102 healthy controls were included. The rs1800544 and rs553668 were determined by real-time PCR. Genotypes and haplotypes frequencies between patients and controls, and for different clinico-pathologic parameters were compared. We found a significant association of rs1800544 GG genotype with young age at diagnosis, premenopausal status, higher tumor size, metastasis in lymph nodes, advanced TNM stages and higher Nottingham Prognosis Indicator (NPI) (p < 0.05). There was no association between rs1800544 and SBR stages, Her2, ER and PR statuses and the molecular classification. The rs553668 AA genotype was associated to young age at diagnosis and premenopausal status (p < 0.05). The haplotype GA was associated to the early age of diagnosis (p = 0.03), and the haplotype GG to higher tumor size, lymph node involvement, advanced TNM stages and Her2 positive status (p < 0.05). There was no polymorphism or haplotype association with BC risk (p > 0.05). ADRA2A polymorphism is associated with indicators BC poor prognosis but not with BC susceptibility. This is the first report suggesting that ADRA2A germline gene polymorphism could represent a predictor factor for BC outcome. Further investigation of other ADRA2A polymorphisms in BC risk or prognosis are needed and may lead to a genotype-based therapy.

Distribution of molecular breast cancer subtypes among Algerian women and correlation with clinical and tumor characteristics: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among Algerian women. Molecular classification of breast cancer is an important factor for prognosis and clinical outcome. There are limited data regarding molecular breast cancer subtypes among Algerian women. The objective of the present study was to analyze the proportion and distribution of molecular subtypes and to determine their associations with some clinical and tumor characteristics: age at diagnosis, menopausal status, histological type and histological grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 3014 female breast cancers. We analyzed breast cancers from cancer registries of academic medical oncology service of public hospital of Rouiba, anticancer center of Blida, and anticancer center of Batna. Breast cancers were diagnosed between 2008 and 2013. Molecular subtype classification was done based on immunohistochemical surrogates for ER (Estrogen receptor), PR (Progesterone receptor) and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) status obtained from medical records for 3014 breast cancer patients. Breast cancer subtypes definitions were as follow: Luminal A (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2-), Luminal B (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2+), TNBC (ER-, PR - , HER2-), HER2+ (ER-, PR-, HER2+). Molecular subtypes were correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis cancer was 48.5 years. Proportions of the luminal A, TNBC, luminal B and HER2+ breast cancer subtypes were 50.59%, 20.80%, 19.67% and 8.92%, respectively. We noted a significant difference in the distribution of age at diagnosis among the four cancer subtypes (P= 0.004). Luminal A, Luminal B, TNBC and HER2+ subtypes were significantly different by premenopausal and postmenopausal status (P= 0.01). Invasive Ductal Carcinoma was the most common histological type in all breast cancer subtypes. Tumors with histological grade 2 and 3 were more common in patients for the four breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we report the distribution of molecular breast cancer subtypes and their associations with some clinicopathological characteristics in a large cohort of Algerian women. In our current study, the median age of diagnosis for all breast cancer subtypes was younger than the average age in Europe and America. Luminal A was the most common sub- type in our patients followed by TNBC. The proportion of luminal A subtype was lesser than reported in white women with breast cancer in Europe and America. The proportion of TNBC subtype in Algerian women was higher compared with Caucasian women of European ancestry. This study will contribute in developing optimal clinical trial protocols and personalized management strategies for Algerian breast cancer patients.