Overall survival and clinical characteristics of pancreatic cancer in BRCA mutation carriers

Br J Cancer. 2014 Sep 9;111(6):1132-8. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.418. Epub 2014 Jul 29.

Abstract

Background: The BRCA1/2 proteins are involved in regulation of cellular proliferation by DNA damage repair via homologous recombination. Therefore, BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with pancreatic cancer may have distinct biologic outcomes.

Methods: Patients with BRCA1/2-associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) diagnosed between January 1994 and December 2012 were identified from databases at three participating institutions. Clinical data were collected. Disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) were analysed.

Results: Overall, 71 patients with PDAC and BRCA1 (n=21), BRCA2 (n=49) or both (n=1) mutations were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 60.3 years (range 33-83), 81.7% (n=58) had any family history of malignancy; 30% (n=21) underwent primary resection. Out of 71 participants, 12 received experimental therapy; one patient had missing data, these 13 cases were excluded from OS analysis. Median OS for 58 patients was 14 months (95% CI 10-23 months). Median OS for patients with stage 1/2 disease has not been reached with 52% still alive at 60 months. Median OS for stage 3/4 was 12 months (95% CI 6-15). Superior OS was observed for patients with stage 3/4 treated with platinum vs those treated with non-platinum chemotherapies (22 vs 9 months; P=0.039).

Conclusion: Superior OS was observed for advanced-disease BRCA-associated PDAC with platinum exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics*
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / therapy
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • Genetic Markers
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Cisplatin