The c.469+46_56del mutation in the homeobox MSX1 gene--a novel risk factor in breast cancer?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of a 11 nucleotide deletion, the c.469+46_56del mutation, in the intron of the homeobox MSX1 gene and breast cancer occurrence and characteristics.

Methods: The mutation was genotyped in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 200 breast cancer patients and 203 controls by single-strand conformational PCR and DNA sequencing.

Results: The del/del variant of the c.469+46_56del mutation increased the risk of breast cancer occurrence (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.41-3.44, p<0.05). We did not observe any association between genotypes of this mutation and lymph node status, Bloom-Richardson grading, estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 expression.

Conclusions: The del/del genotype of the c.469+46_56del mutation in the MSX1 gene may be associated with the increased risk of breast cancer in Polish population and may be considered as an early marker in this disease.