Analysis of matched primary and recurrent BRCA1/2 mutation-associated tumors identifies recurrence-specific drivers

Abstract

Recurrence is a major cause of death among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with breast (BrCa) and ovarian cancers (OvCa). Herein we perform multi-omic sequencing on 67 paired primary and recurrent BrCa and OvCa from 27 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers to identify potential recurrence-specific drivers. PARP1 amplifications are identified in recurrences (False Discovery Rate q = 0.05), and PARP1 is significantly overexpressed across primary BrCa and recurrent BrCa and OvCa, independent of amplification status. RNA sequencing analysis finds two BRCA2 isoforms, BRCA2-201/Long and BRCA2-001/Short, respectively predicted to be sensitive and insensitive to nonsense-mediated decay. BRCA2-001/Short is expressed more frequently in recurrences and associated with reduced overall survival in breast cancer (87 vs. 121 months; Hazard Ratio = 2.5 [1.18–5.5]). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) status is discordant in 25% of patient’s primary and recurrent tumors, with switching between both LOH and lack of LOH found. Our study reveals multiple potential drivers of recurrent disease in BRCA1/2 mutation-associated cancer, improving our understanding of tumor evolution and suggesting potential biomarkers.

Carriers of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants have a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers, which recur frequently. Here, the authors sequence primary and recurrent tumours of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, finding PARP1 amplifications, differential BRCA2 isoform usage, and discordant loss of heterozygosity that are associated with recurrence.