BRAF mutations in an Italian cohort of thyroid cancers.
OBJECTIVE
Recently, a somatic point mutation of the BRAF gene (V599E) has been identified as the most common genetic event in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with a variable frequency (about 25-70%) in different series from USA, Japan, Portugal and Ukraine.


METHODS
In the present study, the genetic analysis of BRAF in an Italian cohort of 65 thyroid tumours with corresponding normal tissues and 21 thyroid benign disorders is reported.


METHODS
For BRAF analysis, the somatic DNA was PCR amplified by means of specific intronic primers and PCR products were directly sequenced. Statistical analyses were obtained by means of Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
All mutations detected involved a T > A transversion at 1796 (V599E) and were heterozygous. Overall, BRAF(V599E) mutation was found in 18/56 (32.1%) PTCs. According to the histological type of the tumour, the mutation was present in 38.3% of cases of conventional PTC (18/47), in 0/6 follicular variant of PTC, in 0/3 oncocytic variant of PTC. No BRAF mutations were detected either in five follicular carcinomas, or in four poorly differentiated or undifferentiated cancers or in benign thyroid disorders. No statistically significant correlation of BRAF mutation with patient age and gender, with multicentricity of the tumour, with the lymphocytic infiltration of the tissue, with the stage and with the recurrence rate, was found. BRAF(V599E) tended to be associated, although not significantly, with a greater volume and extension of the tumour and with lymph-nodal metastases at surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the present study on the first Italian series of thyroid cancers shows a frequency of 38.3% of BRAF(V599E) in the classical variant of PTC, confirming the key role of this mutation in promoting tumourigenesis.
Institute of Endocrine Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. laurafugazzola@hotmail.com
Laura
L
Fugazzola
Deborah
D
Mannavola
Valentina
V
Cirello
Guia
G
Vannucchi
Marina
M
Muzza
Leonardo
L
Vicentini
Paolo
P
Beck-Peccoz
D000328:Adult; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018265:Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular / Q000235:genetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000235:genetics*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf