BRAF-mutations in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung Cancer. 2014 Apr;84(1):36-8. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.01.023. Epub 2014 Feb 3.

Abstract

Objectives: Targeted therapies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) now also include inhibitors against mutated BRAF. We present clinicopathological characteristics of nearly one thousand unselected NSCLC patients tested for the targetable V600E/K BRAF-mutation.

Material and methods: NSCLC routinely tested for EGFR-mutations at Oslo University Hospital in the period February 2011-July 2013 were tested for V600E/K BRAF-mutations using a PCR-based method.

Results: We found a BRAF-mutation frequency of 1.7% in the total cohort of 979 patients, and 2.3% among 646 adenocarcinomas. One of the BRAF-positive samples was also KRAS-mutated, and one had an ALK-translocation. None of 231 squamous cell carcinomas were BRAF-mutated. The proportion of never-smokers among BRAF-positives was high (29%).

Conclusion: BRAF-mutation analysis should be part of the subtyping of non-squamous NSCLC.

Keywords: BRAF-mutation; EGFR-mutation; Genetic testing; Lung cancer; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Translocation, Genetic
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf