BRCA mutations: screening for germ-line founder mutations among early-onset Syrian breast cancer patients

Background Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female cancers in many countries including Syria. Familial breast cancer or previous family cancer history are considered significant risk factors. Therefore, detecting the prevalence and founder mutations in the population facilitates genetic counselling, risk assessment and the development of a cost-effective screening strategy. In this study, we investigated the three germ-line founder mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes: [NM_007294.4 (BRCA1):c.68_69del (p.Glu23fs), NM_007294.4 (BRCA1):c.5266dup (p.Gln1756fs) and NM_000059.4 (BRCA2):c.5946del (p.Ser1982fs)], to examine their incidence and frequency in early-onset breast cancer cases and determine if they are connected to familial breast cancer. One hundred early diagnosed BC females (<= 40 years old) with no other type of cancer were recruited. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples, and mutations were investigated using the Amplification-Created Restriction Site (ACRS) method. Results The family history of cancer was observed in 61% of the cases, of which 35% were breast cancer; however, none of the screened mutations were detected among BC patients. Conclusions The investigated germ-line mutations were not common among Syrian female patients with early-onset BC and were not associated with familial BC. Other mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes or other genes may have a contributing role. Future studies and the need to launch nationwide mutation screening tests for BRCA 1/BRCA2 in the Syrian population are recommended.