Alterations in the expression of homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in breast cancer tissues considering germline BRCA1/2 mutation status.

INTRODUCTION: Homologous recombination (HR) is a crucial DNA-repair mechanism, and its disruption can lead to the accumulation of mutations that initiate and promote cancer formation. The key HR genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are particularly significant as their germline pathogenic variants are associated with a hereditary predisposition to breast and/or ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on 45 FFPE breast cancer tissues obtained from 24 and 21 patients, with and without the germline BRCA1/2 mutation, respectively. The expression of 11 genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, BARD1, FANCA, FANCB, FANCI, RAD50, RAD51D, BRIP1, and CHEK2 was assessed using Custom RT2 PCR Array (Qiagen), and results were analysed using R. RESULTS: Cancer tissues from patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutations displayed no significant differences in the expression of the selected HR genes compared to BRCA1 or BRCA2 wild-type cancer tissues. In BRCA1mut cancer tissues, BRCA1 expression was significantly higher than in BRCA2mut and BRCA wild-type cancer tissues. CONCLUSIONS: In cancer tissues harbouring either BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutations, no significant differences in expression were observed at the mRNA level of any tested HR genes, except BRCA1. However, the significant differences observed in BRCA1 expression between germline BRCA1mut, germline BRCA2mut and BRCA1/2wt tissues may indicate a compensatory mechanism at the mRNA level to mitigate the loss of BRCA1 function in the cells.

Genetic testing-whether to allow complete freedom? Direct to consumer tests versus genetic tests for medical purposes.

Direct-to-consumer tests opened the opportunity of genetic testing without medical supervision, e.g., without medical referral and medical interpretation of the results. Thus, these approaches allow for free access to information concerning individual genetic profile increasing the area of personal freedom, but also posing the risk of false (positive and negative) or misinterpreted results along with health and psychological negative consequences. The paper discusses medical and non-medical applications of DTC, exploring also the legal framework implemented by European states and organizations. These legal acts strive to control the developing DTC market through such basic principles as patient protection, informed consent, medical information confidentiality, and the rights to know and to refuse knowledge about one's genetic predispositions.

Oesophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and anal atresia in a patient with a de novo microduplication in 17q12.

Oesophageal atresia (OA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) are foregut malformations with a heterogeneous etiology. OA/TOF may occur as an isolated anomaly or as part of a syndrome. Chromosomal anomalies have been reported in 6-10% of OA/TOF. Several genes have been implicated in cases of syndromic OA/TOF, but no single specific chromosomal and monogenic defect has been confirmed as a main etiological factor. We described a patient with a 1.4 Mb duplication at 17q12 detected by SNP-array study and validated using qRT-PCR, who presented with an oesophageal atresia accompanied with tracheoesophageal fistula and anal atresia as well as other symptoms resembling VATER association (thumb hypoplasia, sacral bone defect, cryptorchidism). Genomic rearrangements of chromosome 17q12 are associated with a variety of clinical phenotypes. Only few cases with OA patients with the duplication in 17q12 have been reported. The 17q12 region comprised 15 genes. We propose to consider a role for selected genes such as AATF (cell proliferation and apoptosis) and TADA2L (Wnt pathway) at the 17q12 region as well as developmental and transcriptional pathways represented by these genes, in the development of OA/TOF and VATER association.