BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants and prostate cancer risk: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants (PVs) are associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk, but a wide range of relative risks (RRs) has been reported. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library in June 2021 for studies that estimated PCa RRs for male BRCA1/2 carriers, with no time or language restrictions. The literature search identified 27 studies (BRCA1: n = 20, BRCA2: n = 21). Results The heterogeneity between the published estimates was high (BRCA1: I-2 = 30%, BRCA2: I-2 = 83%); this could partly be explained by selection for age, family history or aggressive disease, and study-level differences in ethnicity composition, use of historical controls, and location of PVs within BRCA2. The pooled RRs were 2.08 (95% CI 1.38-3.12) for Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA2 carriers, 4.35 (95% CI 3.50-5.41) for non-Ashkenazi European ancestry BRCA2 carriers, and 1.18 (95% CI 0.95-1.47) for BRCA1 carriers. At ages <65 years, the RRs were 7.14 (95% CI 5.33-9.56) for non-Ashkenazi European ancestry BRCA2 and 1.78 (95% CI 1.09-2.91) for BRCA1 carriers. Conclusions These PCa risk estimates will assist in guiding clinical management. The study-level subgroup analyses indicate that risks may be modified by age and ethnicity, and for BRCA2 carriers by PV location within the gene, which may guide future risk-estimation studies.

Automated summary

BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants are associated with prostate cancer risk with varying relative risks reported. The heterogeneity in estimates may be influenced by factors such as age, family history, and study-level differences in ethnicity composition. Subgroup analyses suggest risks may be modified by age, ethnicity, and PV location within BRCA2 for future risk estimation studies.