Prevalence of BRAF and NRAS mutations in cutaneous melanoma patients in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
115
Journal Issue
2
Pages
121-127
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Background/Purpose: BRAF and NRAS mutations have been described in melanomas among Caucasians and some Asian populations. However, few large-scale studies have investigated the status and clinical significance of BRAF and NRAS mutations in a Taiwanese population. Methods: Melanoma samples (n = 119) were analyzed for mutations in exons 11 and 15 of the BRAF gene, and in exons 1 and 2 of the NRAS gene. The samples were studied in genomic DNA, using polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing. Mutations of the BRAF and NRAS genes were then correlated with clinicopathological features and patients' prognosis. Results: The incidence of somatic mutations within the BRAF and NRAS genes was 14.3% (17/119 patients) and 10.1% (12/119 patients), respectively. Among the 17 patients with BRAF mutations, 15 (88.2%) had V600E mutations. BRAF mutation was frequently detected in younger patients (p = 0.0035), in thin melanomas (p = 0.0181), and in melanomas with less ulceration (p = 0.0089). NRAS mutation was more often seen in patients with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0332). Both BRAF and NRAS mutations were not significantly correlated with overall survival and disease-free survival. Conclusion: As BRAF and NRAS mutations are rare in Taiwan, BRAF- or NRAS-targeted therapies may be effective only for selected Taiwanese melanoma patients. ? 2015.
SDGs
Other Subjects
B Raf kinase; genomic DNA; B Raf kinase; BRAF protein, human; guanosine triphosphatase; membrane protein; NRAS protein, human; adult; aged; Article; cancer prognosis; clinical article; cutaneous melanoma; disease free survival; exon; female; gene amplification; gene mutation; gene sequence; human; human tissue; lymph node metastasis; male; mutation rate; oncogene N ras; overall survival; polymerase chain reaction; prevalence; sequence analysis; skin ulcer; Taiwan; adolescent; Asian continental ancestry group; child; genetics; infant; melanoma; middle aged; multivariate analysis; mutation; preschool child; proportional hazards model; very elderly; young adult; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease-Free Survival; Exons; Female; GTP Phosphohydrolases; Humans; Infant; Male; Melanoma; Membrane Proteins; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Mutation; Proportional Hazards Models; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Taiwan; Young Adult
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article