Aurora-A amplification associated with BRCA2 mutation in breast tumours

Potential interaction of Aurora-A amplification and BRCA2 mutation was examined in breast tumours from BRCA2 999del5 mutation carriers (n = 20) and non-carriers (n = 41). Aurora-A amplification studied by FISH was significantly more common in breast tumours from BRCA2 mutation carriers (p = 0.0005). Extensive Aurora-A amplification was also detected on metaphase chromosomes in three breast epithelial cell lines with the same BRCA2 mutation. In addition, significant association was found between Aurora-A amplification and TP53 mutations in non-BRCA2 mutation carrier tumours (p = 0.007). These results suggest that breast tumours with mutations in BRCA2 or TP53 could be promising candidates for Aurora-A targeted treatment.