A novel germline BRCA2 mutation in a Chinese patient with prostate cancer sensitive to platinum chemotherapy: a case report

• Main Authors: Lijuan Jiang, Zunguang Bai, Shoulun Zhu, Tingting Zhao, Yining Yang, Zhiyong Li, Dong Chen, Zhiming Wu, Yanjun Wang, Fangjian Zhou, Yonghong Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021-08-01
• Series: BMC Urology
• Subjects: Prostate cancer; BRCA2; Family history; Platinum chemotherapy
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-021-00879-4
• ISSN: 1471-2490

Abstract Background Germline BRCA2 mutation is associated with an aggressive prostate cancer phenotype and indicates higher risk for hereditary cancer. Recently, numerous studies have attempted to identify the genomic landscape of prostate cancer to better understand the genomic drivers of this disease and look for the molecular targets to guide treatment selection. Case presentation We report a 67-year-old patient diagnosed with prostate cancer who experienced rapid disease progression after androgen deprivation therapy and subsequent docetaxel treatment. The patient had a strong family history of malignancy as his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and his father was died of lung cancer. Next generation sequencing demonstrated a novel pathogenic germline BRCA2 mutation (p.Gly2181Glufs*10) in the patient. His mother with breast cancer and his son were found to have the same BRCA2 mutation. The patient experienced impressive and durable responses to carboplatin treatment. Conclusions This case demonstrated that the carboplatin could have a dramatic antitumor effect on patients with prostate cancer with germline BRCA2 mutations and family history will help to ensure that patients and their families can be provided with proper genetic counseling.