Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in BRCA1-positive breast cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis and literature review

Hered Cancer Clin Pract. 2018 Apr 27:16:9. doi: 10.1186/s13053-018-0092-2. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Background: There is increasing evidence of high platinum sensitivity in BRCA-associated breast cancer. However, evidence from randomized trials is lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of platinum-based chemotherapy for BRCA1-positive breast cancer in a neoadjuvant setting.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed by obtaining information from patient files. The results were compared with the available data from a literature review.

Results: Twelve female patients with BRCA1 gene mutations who had stage I to III breast cancers were eligible for evaluation. They received platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2011 and 2016. Eleven patients received a combination of cisplatin and doxorubicin, and one patient received carboplatin and docetaxel. All patients underwent mastectomy after chemotherapy. Ten patients (83%) achieved pathological complete remission (pCR). The observed pCR rate was comparable to existing results found in similar studies.

Conclusion: The results of the study confirm the high pCR rate in BRCA1-positive breast cancer after platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Larger randomized studies and longer follow-up times are necessary to evaluate the role of platinum-based therapies in BRCA1-positive breast cancer.

Keywords: BRCA1; Breast cancer; Cisplatin; Neoadjuvant; Platinum; pCR.