The prevalence and main correlates of BRAF V600E mutation in Iranian patients with melanoma

Background: The mutation in the BRAF gene can ultimately increase the risk of melanoma. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the therapies associated with inhibiting BRAF V600E mutation in such patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of BRAF V600E mutation in Iranian patients with melanoma. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 consecutive patients with definitive diagnosis of melanoma (primary or metastatic) who were admitted to the hospital and underwent surgery as the selective treatment approach. For genomic analysis of BRAF V600E mutation, the PCR method was applied. Results: BRAF V600E mutation was observed in 15 cases (30%). the prevalence of mutation in the groups with visceral and non-visceral extension was 100% and 25.5%, respectively, indicating a significant relationship between mutation and visceral involvement (p = 0.023). Thus, the presence of BRAF V600E mutation could only predict visceral involvement in malignant melanoma. The BRAF V600E mutation was not related other demographics or tumor-related parameters. Conclusion: About one-third of malignant melanoma patients in our community face the BRAF V600E mutation. The determination of this mutation has a high prognostic value in predicting the visceral expansion in melanoma and thus it can have a high value in predicting the prognosis of disease in our society.

کلیدواژه ها:

melanoma ، BRAF mutation ، PCR