AURKAF31I Polymorphism and Breast Cancer Risk inBRCA1andBRCA2Mutation Carriers: A Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 Study
Authors: Couch Fergus J. , Sinilnikova Olga , Vierkant Robert A. , Pankratz V. Shane , Fredericksen Zachary S. , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique , Coupier Isabelle , Hughes David , Hardouin Agnès , Berthet Pascaline , Peock Susan , Cook Margaret , Baynes Caroline , Hodgson Shirley , Morrison Patrick J. , Porteous Mary E. , Jakubowska Anna , Lubinski Jan , Gronwald Jacek , Spurdle Amanda B. ,   kConFab, Schmutzler Rita , Versmold Beatrix , Engel Christoph , Meindl Alfons , Sutter Christian , Horst Jurgen , Schaefer Dieter , Offit Kenneth , Kirchhoff Tomas , Andrulis Irene L. , Ilyushik Eduard , Glendon Gordon , Devilee Peter , Vreeswijk Maaike P.G. , Vasen Hans F.A. , Borg Ake , Backenhorn Katja , Struewing Jeffery P. , Greene Mark H. , Neuhausen Susan L. , Rebbeck Timothy R. , Nathanson Katherine , Domchek Susan , Wagner Theresa , Garber Judy E. , Szabo Csilla , Zikan Michal , Foretova Lenka , Olson Janet E. , Sellers Thomas A. , Lindor Noralane , Nevanlinna Heli , Tommiska Johanna , Aittomaki Kristiina , Hamann Ute , Rashid Muhammad U. , Torres Diana , Simard Jacques , Durocher Francine , Guenard Frederic , Lynch Henry T. , Isaacs Claudine , Weitzel Jeffrey , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Narod Steven , Daly Mary B. , Godwin Andrew K. , Tomlinson Gail , Easton Douglas F. , Chenevix-Trench Georgia , Antoniou Antonis C. ,   on behalf of the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2
Published: July 2007

The AURKA oncogene is associated with abnormal chromosome segregation and aneuploidy and predisposition to cancer. Amplification of AURKA has been detected at higher frequency in tumors from BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers than in sporadic breast tumors, suggesting that overexpression of AURKA and inactivation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 cooperate during tumor development and progression. The F31I polymorphism in AURKA has been associated with breast cancer risk in the homozygous state in prior studies. We evaluated whether the AURKA F31I polymorphism modifies breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2. Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 was established to provide sufficient statistical power through increased numbers of mutation carriers to identify polymorphisms that act as modifiers of cancer risk and can refine breast cancer risk estimates in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. A total of 4,935 BRCA1 and 2,241 BRCA2 mutation carriers and 11 individuals carrying both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations was genotyped for F31I. Overall, homozygosity for the 31I allele was not significantly associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers combined [hazard ratio (HR), 0.91; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.77-1.06]. Similarly, no significant association was seen in BRCA1 (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.75-1.08) or BRCA2 carriers (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.67-1.29) or when assessing the modifying effects of either bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy or menopausal status of BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. In summary, the F31I polymorphism in AURKA is not associated with a modified risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(7):1416–21)