Prevalence and Distribution of MUTYH Pathogenic Variants, Is There a Relation with an Increased Risk of Breast Cancer?

Abstract

Background: MUTYH has been implicated in hereditary colonic polyposis and colorectal carcinoma. However, there are conflicting data refgarding its relationship to hereditary breast cancer. Therefore, we aimed to assess if MUTYH mutations contribute to breast cancer susceptibility. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3598 patients evaluated from June 2018 to June 2023 at the Hereditary Cancer Unit of La Paz University Hospital, focusing on those with detected MUTYH variants. Results: Variants of MUTYH were detected in 56 patients (1.6%, 95%CI: 1.2–2.0). Of the 766 patients with breast cancer, 14 patients were carriers of MUTYH mutations (1.8%, 95%CI: 0.5–3.0). The prevalence of MUTYH mutation was significantly higher in the subpopulation with colonic polyposis (11.3% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.00001, OR = 11.2, 95%CI: 6.2–22.3). However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence within the subpopulation with breast cancer (1.8% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.49, OR = 1.2, 95%CI: 0.7–2.3). Conclusion: In our population, we could not establish a relationship between MUTYH and breast cancer. These findings highlight the necessity for a careful interpretation when assessing the role of MUTYH mutations in breast cancer risk.