Full text
Background
While a number of studies have examined miRNA profiles across the molecular subtypes
of breast cancer, it is unclear whether BRCA1 basal-like cancers have a specific miRNA
profile. This study aims to compare grade independent miRNA expression in luminal
cancers, sporadic and BRCA1 basal-type breast cancers. It also aims to ascertain an
immunohistochemical profile regulated by BRCA1 specific miRNAs for potential diagnostic
use.
Conclusion
In summary, our study demonstrates basal-like cancers have a grade independent miRNA
expression profile. Furthermore miRNA driven differences in the expression of proteins
by BRCA1 vs. sporadic basal cancers may be detected via immunohistochemical staining
of paraffin embedded tissue. These findings may have important diagnostic implications,
as immunohistochemical assessment of basal cancers, in addition to the patient’s family
and clinical history, may potentially identify patients who may benefit from BRCA1
gene testing. Lastly, there is evidence to suggest BRCA1 deficient cancers may be
sensitive to PARP inhibitors [47]. Hence stratification of basal-like cancers, based on the “BRCA1-ness” of their miRNA
signature, generated from archival FFPE tissue, may be highly relevant to clinical
trials investigating targeted therapies, such as PARP inhibitors [48]. Validation of these findings in larger patient cohorts, however, will be required
to assess the diagnostic utility of such an approach.