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Review
. 2017 Aug;9(8):519-531.
doi: 10.1177/1758834017714993. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

BRCA mutation in ovarian cancer: testing, implications and treatment considerations

Robert T Neff  1 , Leigha Senter  2 , Ritu Salani  3
Affiliations
Review

BRCA mutation in ovarian cancer: testing, implications and treatment considerations

Robert T Neff et al. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses a number of different cellular subtypes, the most common of which is high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Still today, ovarian cancer is primarily treated with chemotherapy and surgery. Recent advances in the hereditary understanding of this disease have shown a significant role for the BRCA gene. While only a minority of patients with HGSOC will have a germline BRCA mutation, many others may have tumor genetic aberrations within BRCA or other homologous recombination proteins. Genetic screening for these BRCA mutations has allowed improved preventative measures and therapeutic development. This review focuses on the understanding of BRCA mutations and their relationship with ovarian cancer development, as well as future therapeutic targets.

Keywords: BRCA; PARP inhibitor; mutations; ovarian cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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