Testing for mutations of the ataxia telangiectasia gene in radiosensitive breast cancer patients

Radiother Oncol. 1998 May;47(2):125-8. doi: 10.1016/s0167-8140(98)00014-0.

Abstract

Background and purpose: To determine if clinical radiosensitivity in breast cancer patients is related to mutations of the ataxia telangiectasia gene (ATM).

Materials and methods: Fifteen patients who had developed a severe late reaction to a standard radiotherapy schedule were examined for evidence of increased in vitro radiosensitivity using the MTT assay. Mutation analysis was performed using a protein truncation assay.

Results: No mutations were detected in the 15 patients despite evidence of increased in vitro radiosensitivity.

Conclusions: Testing for the ATM gene is unlikely to be useful for predicting clinical response to radiotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ataxia Telangiectasia / complications
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Point Mutation*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Radiation Tolerance / genetics*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / radiation effects