BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation in Pancreatic Cancer: Significance in Therapeutic Approach

Germline mutations in the tumour suppressor genes breast cancer antigen gene BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been proven to portend a drastically increased lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers in the individuals who carry them. A number of studies have shown that the third most common cancer associated with these mutations is pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the greatest challenges in oncology. Though it is estimated that about 5 percent of patients with pancreatic cancer are BRCA carriers, this subset of individuals may be more responsive to therapies that damage DNA, such as some chemotherapies, radiation therapy and some targeted therapies. As a result, BRCA carriers with pancreatic cancer may live longer than their counterparts who do not carry the mutation. We study the therapeutic approach and importance of BRCA1/2 mutation in pancreatic cancer.