Do BRCA 1 mutations affect selected molecular variables in women with breast and ovarian cancer carrying cerebral metastases

e13017Background: Cerebral metastases develop in 10-30% of patients with breast cancer and in around 3.3 to 4% of patients with ovarian cancer. The present study evaluates the expression of ER alpha and beta receptors, PR, HER2 and markers associated with metastases: stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) and its receptor CXCR4, breast cancer metastasis suppressor (BRMS1), astrocyte elevated gene (AEG-1), depending on the status of BRCA1 protein in cancerous cells of the patients (somatic mutation). Methods: The material originated from 30 women with breast cancer and 22 patients with ovarian cancer in whom cerebral metastases were detected. The studies were conducted on paraffin block sections, the markers were detected using immunocytochemistry, employing specific antibodies. Results: In the breast cancer group, BRCA 1 protein expression was detected in 11 patients, absence of the protein in 19. No significant differences were disclosed in the grade of ER, PR, HER2, SDF1, CXCR4, BRMS1 or AG-1 expression w...