Lack of BRAF activating mutations in prostate adenocarcinoma: a study of 93 cases

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2009 Mar;17(2):121-5. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0b013e31818816b9.

Abstract

Oncogenic activating mutations in the cytosolic serine/threonine kinase, BRAF, have been reported in a variety of neoplasms. BRAF relays signals from membrane-bound RAS downstream through the MAP/ERK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase) signaling pathway. The presence of BRAF activating mutations suggests the importance of the MAP/ERK kinase pathway for tumor growth and points to possible therapeutic interventions. Recently, BRAF mutations were reported to characterize a series of prostate adenocarcinomas. In this study, we used DNA melting analysis with high-resolution technology to screen a series of 93 prostate carcinomas for BRAF mutations. None were found. This suggests that BRAF mutations may not play an important role in the oncogenesis or therapy of prostate adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics*

Substances

  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf