Asymmetric real-time PCR detection of BRCA1 5382insC mutation by melting curve analysis in the LightCycler

Background: 5382insC BRCA1 frameshift mutation is a common founder mutation for many populations worldwide and a high-risk allele for the development of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer. Our goal was to develop a novel, reliable and rapid method for its detection. Methods: We developed an asymmetric real-time PCR method with hybridization probes in the LightCycler. Genotyping was performed by melting curve analysis. Results and conclusions: The developed method was in concordance with reference methods when tested in 85 peripheral blood and 107 tumor DNA samples from Greek breast and/or ovarian cancer patients. The described method proved to be simple, cost-effective, easy to perform and rapid enough for routine use as a screening method in high-risk families and especially in the Greek, Slavic and Jewish populations where 5382insC mutation is the most common BRCAl mutation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.