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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

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Published on: June 7, 2019

Incidence of BRAF oncogene mutation and clinical relevance for primary cutaneous melanomas

Masaru Shinozaki1, Akihide Fujimoto, Donald L Morton

  • 1Department Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California 90404, USA.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|March 12, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

BRAF mutations are common in melanoma, particularly in metastatic lesions. These mutations do not significantly impact primary tumor development or patient survival outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Somatic mutations in the B-raf oncogene (BRAF) kinase are frequently observed in nevi and malignant melanomas.
  • BRAF mutations are a key component of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of BRAF mutations in primary cutaneous melanomas.
  • To investigate the relationship between BRAF mutations and tumor progression.
  • To assess the impact of BRAF mutations on disease outcome.

Main Methods:

  • BRAF mutation frequency was assessed in exons 11 and 15 of primary (n=59) and metastatic (n=68) melanomas.
  • DNA was isolated from microdissected tumors, and direct sequencing of PCR products was performed.

Main Results:

  • BRAF mutations were detected in 31% of primary melanomas, with a higher frequency in patients under 60.
  • BRAF mutation incidence did not correlate with Breslow thickness in primary tumors.
  • BRAF mutation frequency was significantly higher in metastatic lesions (57%) compared to primary melanomas.

Conclusions:

  • BRAF mutations may be acquired during melanoma metastasis.
  • BRAF mutations are not a significant factor in primary tumor development.
  • BRAF mutations do not appear to significantly affect overall disease-free survival.

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