Prognostic significance of BRAF mutations

This study evaluated the effect of BRAF mutation on survival among early stage melanoma patients.

The B-raf protein, encoded by the BRAF gene, plays an important role in regulating cell growth and division. Mutations in the BRAF gene are implicated in approximately 40% of all melanoma cases. BRAF mutation is normally associated with diagnosis at an earlier age, advanced-stage lesions and a faster tumor cell division rate. However, the direct effect of BRAF mutation on melanoma survival has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. This study aimed to further investigate the prognostic value of BRAF mutations among early stage melanoma patients.

The study included 147 patients diagnosed with stage I or II melanoma. Genetic testing of melanoma lesions reviled 38 patients (25.9%) with BRAF-mutated melanomas. After an average follow-up of 48 months, 15.8% of patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma experienced disease recurrence and progression, compared to 4.2% of patients with no BRAF mutation identified. Analysis of results indicated that BRAF-mutated melanoma is associated with 2.2 times the risk of relapse or mortality.

This study concluded that due to the poor prognostic effect of BRAF mutations, evaluating more aggressive therapeutic approaches for early stage BRAF-mutated melanoma patients may be warranted.

This study was limited by its retrospective design and the small number of patients included.