A Comparison between CHEK2*1100delC/I157T Mutation Carrier and Noncarrier Breast Cancer Patients: A Clinicopathological Analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The suppressor gene CHEK2 encodes a cell cycle checkpoint kinase, involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and response to DNA damage. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between CHEK2 mutation carriers (CHEK2*1100delC/I157T) and noncarriers with respect to clinicopathological factors.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 100 early breast cancer patients (46 mutation carriers and 54 noncarriers) who were treated with chemotherapy, hormonotherapy or trastuzumab.

RESULTS

CHEK2 mutation carriers were older (>65 years) than noncarriers (17 vs. 7%; p = 0.215). Twenty-five (54%) of them had a history of cancer in the family. Gastric cancer in the family history was detected in 11% of mutation carriers and in 2% of noncarriers (p = 0.092). There was a trend for more frequent lymph node metastases in patients without the mutation in comparison to mutation carriers (46 vs. 28%; p = 0.098). Luminal B type breast cancer was detected more often in carriers (39 vs. 20%; p = 0.048). Breast-conserving treatment was also conducted more often in mutation carriers (57 vs. 31%; p = 0.015). Histologic grades G1/G2 were detected more frequently in mutation carriers (82 vs. 70%; p = 0.212).

CONCLUSION

Mutation carriers were characterized by older age, a history of gastric cancer in the family, locally advanced disease, lower histologic grade and luminal B type breast cancer.