Identification of a novel breast cancer molecular subgroup associated with a deficiency in DNA-damage response
The loss of function of several DNA-damage response (DDR) genes has been reported in breast cancer. A dysfunction in DDR is exploited by DNA-damaging as well as novel targeted therapeutics such as PARP-1 inhibitors. Identification of those patients with DDR dysfunction could inform the selection of effective chemotherapeutic agents in the clinic. Almacreport the identification of a novel molecular subgroup in breast cancer related to DDR deficiency (DDRD) that can be identified by a 44 gene signature (DDRD signature). The DDRD signature is a significant predictor of BRCA and Fanconi anemia (FA) mutational status as well as an independent predictor of response to neoadjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy.