The Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer Study: Review and Future Perspectives

Most studies related to BRCA mutations have been performed in Western populations, and only a few small studies have been conducted in Korean populations. In 2007, the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer (KOHBRA) Study was established to obtain evidence for the accurate risk assessment and management of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in Korea. Between May 2007 and May 2010, the first phase of the KOHBRA Study was performed to estimate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations among patients and their families at risk for HBOC. Between June 2010 and May 2013, the second phase of the KOHBRA Study was performed to identify the clinical characteristics and prognostic indicators of BRCA-related breast cancer and environmental and genetic modifiers of BRCA mutations and to develop a Korean BRCA risk calculator and nationwide genetic counseling network for HBOC. Herein, we review the results of the KOHBRA Study and describe the future perspectives of the study.