Ameloblastoma: The association of BRAF V600E expression with clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes in a case series

Abstract

Objectives

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor with clinical significance due to its high incidence as well as high recurrence rate after surgical enucleation. Notably BRAF V600E pathogenic mutations have been reported in high rate of ameloblastoma. The aim of this study was investigating the association of BRAF V600E expression with clinicopathological characteristics, treatment outcomes and recurrence rates.

Material and methods

We have analyzed 10 patients with ameloblastoma followed by a three-year evaluation, to understand the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism underlying the tumorigenic. All samples were tested for genomic DNA to identify Esone 15 mutations (codon 600) by PCR and perkiness on rotorgene Q and Pyromark Q24, by the Pathological Anatomy Department.

Results

Positive BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 4 of the 10 ameloblastoma cases. Three of the patients with BRAF V600E mutation had a recurrence within 3 years from the first surgery. The fourth patient with mutation showed no signs of relapse during followup. In only one BRAF- patient we showed recurrence of disease, 14 years after the last surgery. Another significant finding from the study is the correlation between the presence of the mutation and the initial size of the lesion.

Conclusions

Ameloblastoma with BRAF V600E mutation has been observed with a higher recurrence rate and an increased initial volume of the lesion. The results obtained demonstrate an increased aggressiveness and invasiveness of BRAF + ameloblastomas.