Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue block or 10 unstained 5-10 μM slides at 20-25°C and an H&E slide of the tissue

Tumor cells more than 50% of the total tissue and greater than 10mm² in surface area on the block.

Specimens fixed in B5 fixative or that have been decalcified will not be accepted. Tumor specimens containing less than 50% tumor cells or are less than 10mm² in area may be unacceptable.

Weekly

7-10 working days

Negative

BRAF mutations have been described in primary and metastatic melanoma (30-70%), papillary thyroid carcinoma (40-70%), colorectal (5-20%), ovarian (5-10%) and prostate (5-10%) adenocarcinomas, testicular cancer (25%), cholangiocarcinoma (10-20%), and less frequently in a variety of other neoplasms including non-small cell lung cancer and squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. Most BRAF mutations occur at position c.1799T>A, encoding a missense p.V600E that results in increased kinase activity and signal transduction through the MAP kinase pathway.

The presence of BRAF p.V600 activating mutations is generally considered to be a poor prognostic marker in metastatic colorectal cancer, may decrease or abolish the efficacy of therapeutic agents targeting tyrosine kinases proximal to BRAF signaling, and correlates with increased sensitivity to selective BRAF mutant inhibitors.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by Sequencing

Room Temperature.

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Protect block or slides from excessive heat and ship in cooled container during summer months.

81210