title: Immunohistochemistry for BRAF(V600E) antibody VE1 performed in core needle biopsy samples identifies mutated papillary thyroid cancers.
abstract: BRAF(V600E) is the most frequent genetic mutation in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and has been reported as an independent predictor of poor prognosis of these patients. Current guidelines do not recommend the use of BRAF(V600E) mutational analysis on cytologic specimens from fine needle aspiration due to several reasons. Recently, immunohistochemistry using VE1, a mouse anti-human BRAF(V600E) antibody, has been reported as a highly reliable technique in detecting BRAF-mutated thyroid and nonthyroid cancers. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of VE1 immunohistochemistry on microhistologic samples from core needle biopsy (CNB) in identifying BRAF-mutated PTC. A series of 30 nodules (size ranging from 7 to 22 mm) from 30 patients who underwent surgery following CNB were included in the study. All these lesions had had inconclusive cytology. In all cases, both VE1 and BRAF(V600E) genotypes were evaluated. After surgery, final histology demonstrated 21 cancers and 9 benign lesions. CNB correctly diagnosed 20/20 PTC and 5/5 adenomatous nodules. One follicular thyroid cancer and 4 benign lesions were assessed at CNB as uncertain follicular neoplasm. VE1 immunohistochemistry revealed 8 mutated PTC and 22 negative cases. A 100% agreement was found when positive and negative VE1 results were compared with BRAF mutational status. These data are the first demonstration that VE1 immunohistochemistry performed on thyroid CNB samples perfectly matches with genetic analysis of BRAF status. Thus, VE1 antibody can be used on thyroid microhistologic specimens to detect BRAF(V600E)-mutated PTC before surgery.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pathology, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crescenzi
authors.affiliation: Section of Pathology, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidobaldi
authors.affiliation: Section of Surgery, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nasrollah
authors.affiliation: Section of Pathology, Ospedale Regina Apostolorum/IHG2, Albano Laziale (Rome), Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taccogna
authors.affiliation: Section of Pathology, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cicciarella Modica
authors.affiliation: Section of Pathology, Ospedale Regina Apostolorum/IHG2, Albano Laziale (Rome), Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, Sapienza University, Ospedale S. Andrea, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nigri
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romanelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, Sapienza University, Ospedale S. Andrea, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valabrega
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovanella
authors.affiliation: Integrated Research Center (CIR), Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Onetti Muda
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trimboli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf