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Test Code BRAFD BRAF V600E/V600K Somatic Mutation Analysis, Tumor


Necessary Information


1. A pathology report (final or preliminary) is required and must accompany specimen for testing to be performed.

2. The following information must be included in the report provided.

-Patient name

-Block number-must be on all blocks, slides and paperwork (can be handwritten on the paperwork)

-Date of tissue collection

-Source of the tissue



Specimen Required


Preferred:

Specimen Type: Tissue block

Collection Instructions: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block.

 

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Tissue slide

Slides: 1 Hematoxylin and eosin stained and 5 unstained

Collection Instructions: Submit 1 slide stained with hematoxylin and eosin and 5 unstained, nonbaked slides with 5-micron thick sections of the tumor tissue.


Useful For

Therapy selection for patients with cancer (eg, melanomas that may respond to BRAF inhibitors, colon cancers that may not respond to EGFR inhibitors)

 

Aiding in the diagnosis/prognosis of certain cancers (eg, hairy cell leukemia, papillary thyroid cancers, and association with aggressiveness)

 

Aiding in determining risk for Lynch syndrome (eg, an adjunct to negative MLH1 germline testing in cases where colon tumor demonstrates MSI-H and loss of MLH1 protein expression)

 

This test is not intended as a screening test to identify cancer.

Disease States

  • Colorectal cancer

Special Instructions

Method Name

Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR)

Reporting Name

BRAF V600 Somatic Mutation Analysis, Tumor

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Ambient (preferred)
  Refrigerated 

Reject Due To

Specimens that have been decalcified (all methods)
Specimens that have not been formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded
Bone marrow in EDTA
Reject

Clinical Information

This test assesses for somatic (tumor-specific) BRAF V600E and V600K mutation. The BRAF gene is a member of the mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated (MAP/ERK) kinase pathway, which plays a role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Dysregulation of this pathway is a key factor in tumor progression and BRAF mutations occur frequently in many different tumor types. BRAF mutation analysis aids in the diagnosis of cancer types including anaplastic and papillary thyroid carcinoma, hairy cell leukemia, and papillary craniopharyngioma.

 

BRAF V600E and V600K mutations are associated with response or resistance to specific targeted therapies in cancer. Targeted cancer therapies are defined as antibody or small molecule drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific cell molecules involved in tumor growth and progression. Multiple targeted therapies have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of specific cancers. Molecular genetic profiling is often needed to identify targets amenable to targeted therapies and to minimize treatment costs and therapy-associated risks.

 

BRAF mutation analysis can provide helpful diagnostic information in the context of evaluation for Lynch syndrome. For more information see Lynch Syndrome Testing Algorithm.

Day(s) Performed

Varies

Report Available

6 to 12 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

81210

88381-Microdissection, manual

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required