ANÁLISE DA MUTAÇÃO V600E DO GENE BRAF E DETECÇÃO IMUNO-HISTOQUÍMICA DA PROTEÍNA BRAF EM CARCINOMAS PAPILÍFEROS DE TIREÓIDE

Abstract

Papillary carcinomas are the most common tumors of the thyroid, corresponding to 80% of all tumors that affect the gland. In such tumors, a common mutation at the BRAF gene has been detected, comprising a nucleotide transversion, T1799A, at the exon 15 of gene. This mutation has been identified in about 50 % of the thyroid papillary carcinomas (TPC). Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated important associations between BRAF mutations and different TPC clinical factors related to tumor progression, invasion and recurrence. The objective of this study was to analise BRAF protein expression, by using immunohistochemistry, and V600E BRAF mutations in a group of patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma. BRAF protein expression and V600E BRAF mutations were compared to TPC clinical and pathological aspects. The study group comprised 116 TPC patients that were selected at the Pathology Department of Hospital Araujo Jorge, in Goiânia. BRAF immunohistochemical analysis employed a labeled polymer peroxidase method and primary BRAF monoclonal antibody (clone F-7), Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc. BRAF V600E molecular analysis was carried by PCR (Polimerase Chain Reaction) associated to RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Statistical analysis was performed by using univariate analysis (Chi-square test with Yates correction, and Fischer). Our results indicated that BRAF overexpression was detected in 54 TPC cases (46.0%), while BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 74 TPC cases (63.8%). Significant associations were detected between BRAF overexpression with distant metastasis (p=0.001) and tumor extrathyroidal extensions (p=0.0183). BRAF V600E mutations were significantly associated with lymph nodes methastasis (p=0.0385) and BRAF protein overexpression (p=0.0063).