BRCA1 Mutations in Cancer: Coordinating Deficiencies in Homologous Recombination with Tumorigenesis.

Abstract

Cancers that arise from <i>BRCA1</i> germline mutations are deficient for homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair and are sensitive to DNA-damaging agents such as platinum and PARP inhibitors. In vertebrate organisms, knockout of critical HR genes including <i>BRCA1</i> and <i>BRCA2</i> is lethal because HR is required for genome replication. Thus, cancers must develop strategies to cope with loss of HR activity. Furthermore, as established tumors respond to chemotherapy selection pressure, additional genetic adaptations transition cancers to an HR-proficient state. In this review, we discuss biological mechanisms that influence the ability of <i>BRCA1</i>-mutant cancers to perform HR. Furthermore, we consider how the HR status fluctuates throughout the cancer life course, from tumor initiation to the development of therapy refractory disease.