Immunohistochemical detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein in colorectal cancers in Taiwan is highly concordant with the molecular test

Jen Fan Hang, Anna Fen Yau Li, Shih Ching Chang, Wen Yih Liang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of BRAF mutations in colorectal cancers (CRCs) in Taiwan and the sensitivity and specificity of VE1 immunohistochemistry in detecting the BRAFV 600E mutation. Methods and results: A total of 425 resected colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens were recruited into this study. Direct Sanger sequencing of exon 15 of the BRAF gene was performed for all cases. The incidence of BRAF mutation was 5.4% (23 of 425). Tissue microarrays were constructed for VE1 immunohistochemistry, and the staining intensity was scored as negative (0), weak (1+), moderate (2+) and strong (3+). In BRAF-mutated cases, two (8.7%) scored as 0, three (13.0%) as 1+, 13 (56.5%) as 2+ and five (21.7%) as 3+. Among 402 BRAF wild-type cases, five (1.2%) were scored as 1+, while the others were negative. The sensitivity and specificity of VE1 expression in detecting the BRAF mutation was 91.3% and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Immunohistochemistry for VE1 antibody is a sensitive and specific marker for detection of BRAF mutations in CRCs. Incorporation of VE1 immunohistochemistry into Lynch syndrome screening protocol may be a reliable and cost-effective method.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)54-62
Number of pages9
JournalHistopathology
Volume69
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2016

Keywords

  • BRAF mutation
  • Lynch syndrome
  • Taiwan
  • VE1 antibody
  • colorectal cancer

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