【Abstract】ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions of hTERT mRNA and BRCA1 protein and to analyze the correlation between these two factors in breast cancer. MethodsThe expression of hTERT mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of BRCA1 protein was examined by immunohistochemistry. ResultsThe positive rates of hTERT mRNA and BRCA1 protein were 72.1%（31/43） and 34.9%（15/43） in breast cancer tissue, were 5.0%(2/40) and 77.5%(31/40) in paracancerous breast tissue respectively. Significant difference existed between breast cancer tissue and paracancerous breast tissue (P＜0.05). Significant negative correlation existed between the expression of BRCA1 protein and expression of hTERT mRNA （r=-0.995, P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe expression of hTERT mRNA is upregulated in breast cancer, and expression of BRCA1 protein is downregulated in breast cancer. BRCA1 protein expression may be associated with expression of hTERT mRNA in breast cancer, which may be involved in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo summarize functions and mechanisms of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and its application in germline BRCA mutated breast cancer.MethodThe literatures about the PARP inhibitors and their applications in the treatment of germline BRCA mutated breast cancer at home and abroad in recent years were collected to make a review.ResultsAs a DNA repair enzyme, the PARP played an important role in the DNA repair pathway. Based on this mechanism, the PARP inhibitors had been developed and widely used in the clinic. On the other hand, the previous studies had shown that the PARP inhibitors marked the synthetic lethal effect in the cancers with homologous recombination deficiency mechanism. By inhibiting the PARP activity in the tumor cells with BRCA mutation, all the DNA damage repair pathways were blocked, which could induce the cell apoptosis or increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemoradiotherapy, resulting in the cell death.ConclusionIn patients with germline BRCA mutated breast cancer, PARP inhibitors can selectively kill breast cancer cells and show a high potential for individualized treatment.