BRAF Fusion Analysis in Pilocytic Astrocytomas. Issue 9 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faulkner, Claire; Ellis, Hayley Patricia; Shaw, Abigail; Penman, Catherine; Palmer, Abigail; Wragg, Christopher; Greenslade, Mark; Haynes, Harry Russell; Williams, Hannah; Lowis, Stephen; White, Paul; Williams, Maggie; Capper, David; Kurian, Kathreena Mary
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology. Volume 74:Issue 9(2015:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Neurology -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Diseases -- Physiopathology -- Periodicals; 616.8047
• DOI: 10.1097/NEN.0000000000000226
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3069

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are increasingly tested for <italic>KIAA1549-BRAF</italic> fusions. We used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the 3 most common <italic>KIAA1549-BRAF</italic> fusions, together with BRAF V600E and histone H3.3 K27M analyses to identify relationships of these molecular characteristics with clinical features in a cohort of 32 PA patients. In this group, the overall <italic>BRAF</italic> fusion detection rate was 24 (75%). Ten (42%) of the 24 had the 16-9 fusion, 8 (33%) had only the 15-9 fusion, and 1 (4%) of the patients had only the 16-11 fusion. In the PAs with only the 15-9 fusion, 1 PA was in the cerebellum and 7 were centered in the midline outside of the cerebellum, that is, in the hypothalamus (n = 4), optic pathways (n = 2), and brainstem (n = 1). Tumors within the cerebellum were negatively associated with fusion 15-9. Seven (22%) of the 32 patients had tumor-related deaths and 25 of the patients (78%) were alive between 2 and 14 years after initial biopsy. Age, sex, tumor location, 16-9 fusion, and 15-9 fusion were not associated with overall survival. Thus, in this small cohort, 15-9 <italic>KIAA1549-BRAF</italic> fusion was associated with midline PAs located outside of the cerebellum; these tumors, which are generally difficult to resect, are prone to recurrence.</p> </sec> </abstract>