Clinical outcome of triple negative breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers and noncarriers

Abstract

Backkground: Women with BRCA1 mutations develop breast cancer with similar pathologic features to sporadic triple negative (TN) breast cancer, a subtype associated with early disease relapse and poor outcome. The clinical outcome of women with and without BRCA1 mutations who had TN breast cancer treated with conventional chemotherapy were compared. Methods: Women with stage I to III TN breast cancer who had BRCA1 testing within 36 months of diagnosis and received alkylating chemotherapy were identified from clinical databases and a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) specimen bank. BRCA2 mutation carriers were excluded, resulting in a study cohort of 46 BRCA1 carriers and 71 noncarriers. Sites of metastasis, relapse rates, and survival were compared among carriers and noncarriers. The median follow-up was 75 months. Results: BRCA1 carriers were younger at diagnosis (P