title: BRCA1 and BRCA2: the genetic testing and the current management options for mutation carriers.
abstract: Approximately 5-10% of breast carcinomas and 10% of ovarian carcinomas are ascribable to a genetic susceptibility. Of these, about 40% are related to genetic mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Despite the increasing demand for genetic testing arising from the patients and their relatives, the genetic testing can be offered yet only to individuals belonging to high-risk families in which the probability that there is a germline mutation in a BRCA gene is high and thus cancer occurrence is likely the expression of a highly penetrant genetic predisposition. In this article, we review how the current knowledge on the biological mechanisms underlying BRCA1 and BRCA2 dysfunction may contribute to the understanding of breast and ovarian cancer predisposition. The most currently employed methods for genetic testing are critically overviewed, together with some indications for the interpretation of the test outcome and the clinical management of mutation carriers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University La Sapienza, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ristori
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ricevuto
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulino
mesh_terms: D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D024682:BRCA2 Protein