Does BRCA Mutation Status Influence Ovarian Cancer Onset Timing and Patients' Treatment Outcomes?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mutations in the and genes are well-known risk factors for ovarian cancer. They are also associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy; however, their definitive impact on patient prognosis remains not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of mutation status on the age of ovarian cancer onset and on treatment outcomes in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective analysis included newly diagnosed FIGO stage III and IV HGSOC patients treated between June 2018 and April 2023. Patients' age, tumor histology, CA125 levels, mutation status, type of treatment (neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy), and surgical outcomes were collected and analyzed. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

RESULTS

Pathogenic mutations were identified in 25 patients (15 in , 10 in ). Patients with a mutation were diagnosed at a significantly younger age (median 58.78 years) compared to non-carriers (66.81 years; < 0.001), with carriers being diagnosed the youngest (median 46.52 years). The study found no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between carriers and non-carriers. However, a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) was observed for patients with a mutation ( = 0.036). No significant OS difference was found for carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

mutations, particularly in the gene, are associated with an earlier onset ovarian cancer. mutation appears to be a favorable prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with HGSOC. Our findings demonstrate the clinical implications of different mutations and support the need for further research in larger cohorts to confirm their influence on prognostic effects.