Defining the molecular mechanisms of BRCA1-dependent tumor suppression

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which ovarian cells grow aberrantly to form a tumoral mass that can eventually evolve into a metastatic disease often incurable with current therapies. There are a number of known risk factors for ovarian cancer development including age, hormonal, reproductive and menstrual history. However, the most prominent risk factor is having a familial history of ovarian cancer and approximately 25% of all ovarian cancer cases can be attributed to hereditary factors. In particular, women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene have a 30-70% chance of developing ovarian and breast cancer by age 70. Ovarian cancer prevention for women carrying BRCA1 mutations is currently predominantly achieved through surgical strategies, such as bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. However, these prophylactic measures are very invasive and adopting them poses a major challenge to women carrying BRCA1 mutations. Novel strategies for preventing hereditary ovarian cancer are therefore needed.