BRAF mutations in metastatic malignant melanoma: comparison of molecular analysis and immunohistochemical expression

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2014 Oct;22(9):648-51. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000013.

Abstract

Melanoma is a complex genetic disease, and multiple genetic alterations have been reported to play a role during disease progression. The dysregulation of BRAF signaling has been shown to affect many molecules that promote the continual progression of melanoma. Oncogenic BRAF expression plays a vital role in promoting cell invasion and metastasis in melanoma. It is also associated with poor prognosis in metastatic melanoma. About 40% to 60% of cutaneous melanomas have BRAF mutations, and 90% of the mutations involve a specific substitution at codon 600 (BRAF V600E). In this study, we compared BRAF (V600E) mutation detection by molecular analysis with BRAF expression by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis using 2 different antibodies. A total of 25 metastatic malignant melanomas were included in this study. 10 of the 25 (40%) cases were positive by molecular analysis using the COBAS 4800 BRAF V600 Real-time PCR assay, and 18 of the 25 (72%) cases were positive by IHC analysis with 2 different antibodies. All positive cases by molecular analysis were positive by both IHC stains (100%). No false negatives were obtained with either IHC stain. Eight of the 25 (32%) were false-positive by both IHC stains. This study demonstrates that IHC analysis is a very sensitive test for evaluation of BRAF mutations in metastatic malignant melanoma and may be useful as an initial screening test.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Male
  • Melanoma* / genetics
  • Melanoma* / metabolism
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

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