Homologous recombination defects are commonly seen in triple-negative breast cancer and include BRCA1 methylation, overexpression of de-regulators including ID4 and HMG as well as aberrations of MRE11, ATM and PALB2 (Alli et al, 2009; Alexander et al, 2010). The gene discussed is BRCA1; the disease is triple-negative breast carcinoma.