Prevalence of a BRCA2 Pathogenic Variant in Hereditary-Breast-and-Ovarian-Cancer-Syndrome Families with Increased Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in a Restricted Italian Area

PVs and LPVs in BRCA1/2 genes are correlated to a high risk of developing breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer (Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome, HBOC); additionally, in recent years, an increasing number of BRCA 1/2 variants have been identified and associated with pancreatic cancer. Epidemiologic studies have highlighted that inherited factors are involved in 10% to 20% of PCs, mainly through deleterious variants of BRCA2. The frequency of BRCA1/2 germline alterations fluctuates quite a lot among different ethnic groups, and the estimated rate of PVs/LPVs variants in Italian HBOC families is not very accurate, according to different reports. The aim of our study is to describe the prevalence of a BRCA2 PV observed in a selected cohort of HBOC patients and their relatives, whose common origin is the eastern coast of Emilia Romagna, a region of Italy. This study provides insight into the frequency of the variant detected in this area and provides evidence of an increased risk of pancreatic and breast cancer, useful for genetic counseling and surveillance programs.

Automated summary

PVs and LPVs in BRCA1/2 genes are associated with a high risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and more BRCA1/2 variants have recently been found to be linked to pancreatic cancer. Inherited factors, particularly deleterious variants of BRCA2, play a role in 10% to 20% of pancreatic cancers. The frequency of BRCA1/2 germline alterations varies among ethnic groups, and the accurate estimation of PVs/LPVs variants in Italian HBOC families is still uncertain. This study aims to determine the prevalence of a BRCA2 PV in a specific cohort of HBOC patients and their relatives from the eastern coast of Emilia Romagna, Italy, and provides important evidence for genetic counseling and surveillance programs due to the increased risk of pancreatic and breast cancer.