DNA mismatch repair and the transition to hormone independence in breast and prostate cancer

Martin, Lynn; Coffey, Mary; Lawler, Mark; Hollywood, Donal; Marignol, Laure

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2009.10.007

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Volume 291, Issue 2 , Pages 142-149, 28 May 2010

DNA mismatch repair and the transition to hormone independence in breast and prostate cancer

Lynn Martin
- Division of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Haematology and Academic Unit of Clinical and Molecular Oncology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Corresponding author. Address: Division of Radiation Therapy and Prostate Cancer Research Group, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. Tel.: +353 1 8963253; fax: +353 1 8963246.
Mary Coffey
- Division of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Mark Lawler
- Department of Haematology and Academic Unit of Clinical and Molecular Oncology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Donal Hollywood
- Division of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Haematology and Academic Unit of Clinical and Molecular Oncology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Laure Marignol
- Division of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Haematology and Academic Unit of Clinical and Molecular Oncology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Received 26 May 2009; received in revised form 23 September 2009; accepted 9 October 2009. published online 06 November 2009.

Abstract

The molecular basis for the progression of breast and prostate cancer from hormone dependent to hormone independent disease remains a critical issue in the management of these two cancers. The DNA mismatch repair system is integral to the maintenance of genomic stability and suppression of tumorigenesis. No firm consensus exists regarding the implications of mismatch repair (MMR) deficiencies in the development of breast or prostate cancer. However, recent studies have reported an association between mismatch repair deficiency and loss of specific hormone receptors, inferring a potential role for mismatch repair deficiency in this transition. An updated review of the experimental data supporting or contradicting the involvement of MMR defects in the development and progression of breast and prostate cancer will be provided with particular emphasis on their implications in the transition to hormone independence.

Keywords: Mismatch repair, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Hormone independence, MSH2