Frequencies of NRAS and BRAF mutations increase from the radial to the vertical growth phase in cutaneous melanoma

Victoria R. Greene, Marcella M. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Grimm, Julie A. Ellerhorst

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

A lack of consensus exists with regards to the relative rates of NRAS and BRAF mutations in the radial (RGP) and vertical (VGP) growth phases of individual melanoma tumors. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that mutations are acquired with progression from RGP to VGP. Using laser capture microdissection, pure tumor DNA was obtained from 15 in situ melanomas, and from the RGP and VGP of 29 invasive tumors. NRAS exon 2 and BRAF exon 15 DNA were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Mutations were present in 6 of 15 in situ melanomas (40). Of 29 invasive tumors, 16 exhibited RGP mutations (55.2); 22 showed VGP mutations (75.9). Paired RGPVGP mutation analysis revealed a trend toward discordance in the distribution of mutations, favoring VGP localization (P0.07). Of 15 samples, 12 with mutations in both phases had an increased proportion of mutated DNA in the VGP, measured on DNA chromatograms (P0.08). Limitations of this study include a relatively small sample cohort selected for technical reasons from a larger population, presenting the risk of selection bias. These concerns notwithstanding our findings support the hypothesis that NRAS and BRAF mutations increase with tumor progression from superficial to invasive disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1483-1488
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology
Volume129
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Dermatology
  • Cell Biology

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