A Comparison between CHEK2*1100delC/I157T Mutation Carrier and Noncarrier Breast Cancer Patients: A Clinicopathological Analysis.

OBJECTIVE:The suppressor gene CHEK2 encodes a cell cycle checkpoint kinase, involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and response to DNA damage. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between CHEK2 mutation carriers (CHEK2*1100delC/I157T) and noncarriers with respect to clinicopathological factors. METHODS:We reviewed the medical records of 100 early breast cancer patients (46 mutation carriers and 54 noncarriers) who were treated with chemotherapy, hormonotherapy or trastuzumab. RESULTS:CHEK2 mutation carriers were older (>65 years) than noncarriers (17 vs. 7%; p = 0.215). Twenty-five (54%) of them had a history of cancer in the family. Gastric cancer in the family history was detected in 11% of mutation carriers and in 2% of noncarriers (p = 0.092). There was a trend for more frequent lymph node metastases in patients without the mutation in comparison to mutation carriers (46 vs. 28%; p = 0.098). Luminal B type breast cancer was detected more often in carriers (39 vs. 20%; p = 0.048). Breast-conserving treatment was also conducted more often in mutation carriers (57 vs. 31%; p = 0.015). Histologic grades G1/G2 were detected more frequently in mutation carriers (82 vs. 70%; p = 0.212). CONCLUSION:Mutation carriers were characterized by older age, a history of gastric cancer in the family, locally advanced disease, lower histologic grade and luminal B type breast cancer.