Effects of Altered BRCA1 and p53 Breast Cancer Prognosis in African-American Women
Abstract
Individual carrying mutations in p53 or BRCA1 genes are predisposed to a variety of cancers, both tumor suppressor genes have been implicated in establishing genome stability by participating in DNA damage pathways. Inactivation or mutation of p53 is seen in variety of cancers including breast cancers. There have been discrete p53 mutations in African American (AA) cohort, which were different White American (WA) cohorts. Mutations in BRCA1 gene accounts for about 50% of inherited breast cancer cases and 80% of families predisposed to breast and ovarian cancers. However, somatic mutations of BRCA1 gene are absent in sporadic cancers. Recent studies have shown that inactivation of BRCA1 occurs via the hypermethylation of the promoter region of the BRCA1 gene. The results of this study show that: 1) the number of p53 negative cases were lower in AAs as compared to WAs, 2) a markedly p53 overexpression was observed in AAs; and also the number of p53 mutations were more in AAs as compared to WAs, 3) hypermethylation of promoter of BRCA1 gene was seen in cases where p53 was muted. This study, when complete will establish a causal variation in AAs as compared to WAs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA415661
Entities
People
- Meena Jhanwar-uniyal