The BRAF V600E Mutation Detection by quasa Sensitive Real-Time PCR Assay in Northeast Romania Melanoma Patients

Background: The prevalence of melanoma in Romanian patients is underestimated. There is a need to identify the BRAF V600E mutation to accurately treat patients with the newest approved BRAF inhibitor therapy. This is a pilot study in which we first aimed to choose the optimal DNA purification method from formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) malignant melanoma skin samples to assess the BRAF mutation prevalence and correlate it with clinical pathological parameters. Methods: 30 FFPE samples were purified in parallel with two DNA extraction kits, a manual and a semi-automated kit. The extracted DNA in pure and optimum quantity was tested for the BRAF V600E mutation using the quantitative allele-specific amplification (quasa) method. quasa is a method for the sensitive detection of mutations that may be present in clinical samples at low levels. Results: The BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 60% (18/30) samples in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma of the skin. BRAFV600E mutation was equally distributed by gender and was associated with age > 60, nodular melanoma, and trunk localization. Conclusions: The high prevalence of BRAF V600E mutations in our study group raises awareness for improvements to the national reporting system and initiation of the target therapy for patients with malignant melanoma of the skin.

Automated summary

The study identified a high prevalence (60%) of BRAF V600E mutation in Romanian patients with primary cutaneous melanoma, with the mutation being associated with age, type of melanoma, and location on the body.