Gene mutation and protein expression of v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 in esophageal cancer

Objective To estimate the gene mutation and the protein expression of v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF) in esophageal cancer. Methods From February 2014 to September 2015, 75 patients with esophageal cancer who received operation were enrolled. Tissues of cancer, adjacent to cancer and far from cancer were taken. The mutation and protein expression of BRAF were detected. The relationship between BRAF protein positive expression and clinical characteristics of patients with esophageal cancer was analyzed. The enumeration data was compared by chi-square test. Results The mutation of exon 11 and exon 15 of gene BRAF was not found in the tissues of esophageal cancer. Among 75 esophageal cancer, a base C or T inserted in the exon 11 was found in five Ⅲ b TNM stage cases, and the expression of BRAF at protein level was positive in 46 cases (61.3%). Among 57 tissues adjacent to cancer, nine cases (15.8%) was BRAF positive at protein level. Among 75 tissues far from cancer, five(6.7%) was BRAF positive at protein level.The difference among three groups was statistically significant (χ2=61.098, P 0.05). Conclusions There is base insertion in the exon 11 of gene BRAF in esophageal cancer, but gene mutation is not found. BRAF is highly expressed in esophageal cancer, which is related with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis, and BRAF could be an indicator of assessment of degree of malignancy and prognosis of esophageal cancer. Key words: BRAF; Gene mutation; Esophageal neoplasms; Histopathology; Immunohistochemistry