Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Employing Digital Droplet PCR to Detect BRAF V600E Mutations in Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Reference Standard Cell Lines
Published on: October 8, 2015
[BRAF V600E Mutation and TERT Promoter Mutation in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas and Their Association with
Tian Yang1, Chang Chen1, Nan-Fang Pan2
1Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To explore the relationships of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations with the clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Methods:
The mutations of BRAF V600E and TERT promoters were examined by PCR-direct sequencing in tumor tissues from 326 PTC patients, while the relationships between the gene mutations and clinicopathological features were analyzed.
Results:
BRAF V600E mutation was found in 269/326 (82.52%), and TERT promoter mutation in 11/326 (3.37%) of PTC patients. In site mutations of TERT promoter, 9 cases were C228T and 2 cases were C250T. Single factor analysis showed that BRAF V600E mutations were significantly associated with age and recurrence/distant metastasis of tumor (P < 0.05), while TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with age, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, T stage, AJCC stage and recurrence/distant metastasis of tumor (P < 0.05). Coexistence of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations (BRAF+/TERT+) were particularly associated with age, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, T stage and AJCC stage (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Coexistence of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations in PTC shows more aggressive tumor behavior.
Related Concept Videos
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Abnormal Proliferation
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

