Platinum sensitivity in a BRCA1 mutation carrier with advanced breast cancer.
Although BRCA1-associated breast carcinomas are frequently detected in nodal-negative stage, they typically present with an aggressive histopathological phenotype that is reflected by a poor prognosis and an increased risk for distant metastatic spread. Recent in vitro data suggest a high sensitivity of BRCA1-associated carcinomas to platinum-based chemotherapy and a lower sensitivity to anthracyclines and taxanes. This is explained by the key role of BRCA1 in DNA double-strand repair via homologous recombination, thereby leading to a higher sensitivity to DNA intercalating agents, such as platinum. Here we present the case of a woman suffering from BRCA1-associated metastatic breast carcinoma that was resistant to docetaxel, but responded strongly to cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. This supports the rationale of ongoing clinical studies.
Rhiem
K
K
Centre for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Cologne and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
Wappenschmidt
B
B
Bosse
K
K
Köppler
H
H
Tutt
A N
AN
Schmutzler
R K
RK
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds