BRAF-V600E expression in primary nodular melanoma is associated with aggressive tumour features and reduced survival.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Around 50% of primary melanomas harbour BRAF mutations, but their prognostic impact has not been clear. Recently, a BRAF-V600E mutation-specific antibody has become available for immunohistochemistry. Here, we investigated for the first time the prognostic impact of BRAF-V600E protein expression in primary melanoma.

Methods

In a patient series of 248 nodular melanomas, BRAF-V600E and total BRAF expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray sections of paraffin-embedded archival tissue. Mutation status was assessed by real-time PCR in cases with sufficient tumour tissue (n=191).

Results

Positive BRAF-V600E expression was present in 86 (35%) of the cases, and was significantly associated with increased tumour thickness, presence of

SUBMITTER: Hugdahl E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4984864 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature