Ovarian cancer: Status of homologous recombination pathway as a predictor of drug response

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2016 May:101:50-9. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.02.014. Epub 2016 Feb 27.

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), particularly high-grade serous subtype, is associated with germline mutations in BRCA1/BRCA2 genes in up to 20% of the patients. BRCA1/BRCA2 proteins are important components of the homologous recombination (HR) pathway, a vital DNA repair process that protects the genome from double-strand DNA damage. Recent studies revealed frequent somatic mutations of BRCA1/BRCA2 and hypermethylation of the promoter of BRCA1 in EOC, in addition to germline mutations. Comparison of DNA copy number changes in tumors with or without BRCA1/BRCA2 alterations, lead to the identification of several signatures that detect HR pathway defects, here named "HRness". These signatures predict platinum-sensitivity and survival in EOC, as it was previously shown for germline mutations of BRCA1/BRCA2. They are currently investigated in clinical trials as potential predictive biomarker for response to poly(ADP- ribose) polymerase inhibitors.

Keywords: Alkylating agents; BRCA mutation; BRCAness; HRness; Homologous recombination; Ovarian cancer; PARP inhibitor; Platinum.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • Female
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human