Hallmarks of 'BRCAness' in sporadic cancers

Nat Rev Cancer. 2004 Oct;4(10):814-9. doi: 10.1038/nrc1457.

Abstract

Germline mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 and Fanconi anaemia genes confer cancer susceptibility, and the proteins encoded by these genes have distinct functions in related DNA-repair processes. Emerging evidence indicates that these processes are disrupted by numerous mechanisms in sporadic cancers. Collectively, there are properties that define 'BRCAness' - that is, traits that some sporadic cancers share with those occurring in either BRCA1- or BRCA2-mutation carriers. These common properties might have important implications for the clinical management of these cancers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • BRCA1 Protein / physiology
  • BRCA2 Protein / physiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / classification
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Repair / genetics*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Fanconi Anemia / genetics
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group F Protein
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genes, BRCA1
  • Genes, BRCA2
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • Phenotype
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Recombination, Genetic / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • FANCD2 protein, human
  • FANCF protein, human
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group F Protein
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins