Germline and Somatic Mutations in Archived Breast Cancer Specimens of Different Subtypes

Abstract

Molecular profiling of tumors may provide promising options for personalized treatment. We have examined the spectrum of germline and somatic mutations in 23 breast cancers (BC) of various molecular subtypes, including tumors 1) with expression of estrogen, progesterone and/or epidermal growth factor receptor HER2/neu, and 2) with a triple negative phenotype. Genomic DNA specimens were isolated from archived tumor and normal tissue samples and subjected to targeted sequencing of the coding regions of 25 cancer-associated genes with a mean coverage of ×1000. In the triple negative subtype of BC, the pathogenic germline mutations BRCA1 c.66_67delAG (185delAG) and BRCA1 c.3226_3227AG (3347delAG) were detected, while the germline mutation BRCA2 658_659del (886delGT) was found in patients with positive receptor staining. Mutations in BRCA1/2 were overrepresented by frequency (80%), pointing at common loss of heterozygosity affecting the normal allele. Somatic mutations in the TP53 gene were found in 7/10 (70%) patients with the triple negative subtype of BC and in 3/13 (23%) in the group with positive receptor staining. Additionally, in both groups of patients, somatic mutations of the PTEN, MSH2, MSH6, and MUTYH genes were detected.