An overview of cancer genetics with focus on involvement of BRCA1/2 genes in breast carcinomas

Abstract

Cancer is a kind of disease which can be explained at the molecular level as triggered by accretion of damaged deoxyribonucleic acid. There are several genes involved in cancer, mainly belonging to two classes called tumour suppressors and oncogenes. Other than the well-known breast cancer susceptibility 1/2 genes, there are several other genes involved in the development of breast and ovarian cancers. However, since the past two decades the focus of research has been on and breast cancer susceptibility 1/2 genes. The current review was planned to delve into the structure and function of breast cancer susceptibility 1/2 genes to augment research on the genetics of breast cancer. The understanding of tumour suppressor genes is also helpful in the analysis of mutational spectra and to determine the treatment strategies in clinical interventional studies.