Abstract

The identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has led to the understanding of the molecular basis of the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndromes and to the development of preventive strategies by the identification of individuals carriers of pathogenic germ-line mutations. In the last few years the study of the complex molecular scenario of breast and ovarian tumors arising in the BRCA1 and 2 setting has opened new exciting treatment perspectives on the basis of the important defects in DNA repair which are linked to BRCA1/2 related carcinogenesis. Early clinical trials have clearly demonstrated the translational value of preclinical research on Cisplatin or Poly-ADP-ribose inhibitors. A new treatment paradigma is now emerging which links cancer treatment to the carcinogenetic process and whose value will probably spread beyond the specific setting of inherited breast and ovarian cancer.

Keywords: BRCA1, BRCA2, Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, PARP inhibitors, Ovarian Cancer Syndromes, carcinogenesis, tumor, carriers