Evaluation of the Role of BRAFV600E Somatic Mutation on Papillary Thyroid Cancer Disease Persistence: A Prospective Study. Issue 5 (13th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Damiani, Luca; Lupo, Sabrina; Rossi, Roberta; Bruni, Stefania; Bartolomei, Mirco; Panareo, Stefano; Franceschetti, Paola; Carcoforo, Paolo; Lanza, Giovanni; Pelucchi, Stefano; Degli Uberti, Ettore; Zatelli, Maria Chiara
• Is Part Of: European thyroid journal. Volume 7:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2018-10-13
• Subjects: BRAFV600E -- Prognosis -- Papillary thyroid cancer -- Prospective study; Thyroid gland -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thyroid Diseases -- Periodicals; 612.44
• DOI: 10.1159/000490699
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2235-0640

Abstract

Abstract : Background: BRAF V600E (c.1799T>A) somatic mutation evaluation in fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) is a powerful diagnostic tool in the settings of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, its prognostic value is still a matter of great debate and has been addressed mostly in retrospective studies. Objectives: To evaluate whether the somatic BRAF V600E mutation, assessed by direct sequencing in FNAB material of thyroid nodules, may correlate with disease persistence in PTC patients. Study Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study investigating 160 PTC patients previously assessed for the somatic BRAF V600E mutation, and submitted to total thyroidectomy, with a follow-up of 2–10 years. Patients were matched according to somatic BRAF V600E mutation (80 BRAF+ and 80 BRAF– patients) and to the presence (LN+, 40 patients each group) or absence (LN, 40 patients each group) of neck lymphnode metastases. Disease persistence was considered according to basal or TSH-stimulated Thyroglobulin (TG) levels, anti-TG antibodies, neck ultrasound, CT scan where applicable and whole body scan after radioiodine ablation treatment (RAI). Results: The presence of the somatic BRAF V600E mutation did not influence the indication for RAI. None of the enrolled patients showed disease recurrence or died due to disease-related causes. During follow-up, disease persistence did not correlate with the presence of somatic BRAF V600E mutation both in patients submitted to RAI nor in those treated more conservatively. Conclusions: The somatic BRAF V600E mutation does not associate with a worse prognosis in low risk PTC and, in our settings, may not be considered an independent risk factor for disease persistence.