Absence of P53 Gene Mutations in Exons 5 - 7 Among Breast Cancer Patients of Bengalee Hindu Caste Females, West Bengal, India

Background: The high incidence and relatively good prognosis of breast cancer has made it the most prevalentcancer in the world today. A large number of distinct mutations and polymorphisms in the p53 gene have beenreported worldwide, but there is no report regarding the role of this inherited susceptibility gene in breast cancerrisk among the Bengalee Hindu Caste females of West Bengal, India. Aim of the Study: We investigated thedistribution and the nature of p53 gene mutations and polymorphisms in exons 5-7 in a cohort of 110 BengaleeHindu breast cancer patients and 127 age, sex and caste matched controls by direct sequencing.
Results: We didnot observe any mutations and polymorphisms in our studied individuals.
Conclusion: We therefore concludethat mutations in exons 5-7 of p53 gene are rare causes of breast cancer among Bengalee Hindu caste females,and therefore of little help for genetic counseling and diagnostic purposes.