Genetics, Tumor Features and Treatment Response of Breast Cancer in Latinas

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous and genetic disease that has variability according to ethnicity and race with respect to incidence, clinical characteristics and prognosis. The incidence of breast cancer is lower but mortality is higher in Latinas than Caucasians in the US series. Risk factors appear to have different prevalence and impact in Latinas. Breast cancer in Latinas has particular clinic-pathological features including younger age, higher rates of triple-negative subtype and advanced stages. Molecular studies find that Latinas from every region have a specific BRCA incidence and a recurrent mutation, as well as differences in activity of molecular pathways. Treatment response rates and toxicity have also been compared, and no difference was found between Latinas and other ethnic groups.