BRAF alterations in primary glial and glioneuronal neoplasms of the central nervous system with identification of 2 novel KIAA1549: BRAF fusion variants

Alex Lin, Fausto J. Rodriguez, Matthias A. Karajannis, Susan C. Williams, Genevieve Legault, David Zagzag, Peter C. Burger, Jeffrey C. Allen, Charles G. Eberhart, Eli E. Bar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies highlight the importance of BRAF alterations resulting in mitogen activated protein kinase (MAK/ERK) pathway activation in low-grade CNS tumors. We studied 106 low-grade CNS neoplasms in a cohort of primarily pediatric patients to identify the prevalence and clinicopathologic significance of these alterations. Polymerase chain reaction testing identified KIAA1549:BRAF fusions in 51 (48%) tumors overall, including 42 (60%) pilocytic astrocytomas, 4 (17%) unclassifiable low-grade gliomas, 4 (36%) low-grade glioneuronal/neuroepithelial tumors, 0 (of 5) pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, 0 (of 4) diffuse astrocytomas (World Health Organization grade II), and 1 (of 3, 33%) pilomyxoid astrocytoma. KIAA1549:BRAF gene fusions confirmed by sequencing included the previously reported ones involving exons 1-16/9-18 (49%), 1-15/9-18 (35%), and 1-16/11-18 (8%) and 2 fusions with novel breakpoints: 1-15/11-18 (6%) and 1-17/10-18 (1%). DNA sequencing identified BRAF mutations in 8% of tumors. BRAF mutations were absent. KIAA1549:BRAF fusions were significantly more frequent in infratentorial (57%) and optic pathway (59%) tumors versus supratentorial (19%) tumors (p = 0.001). We did not identify significantly improved progression-free survival in tumors with fusions. In summary, KIAA1549:BRAF fusions predominate in pilocytic astrocytomas but are also present in some low-grade unclassifiable gliomas and glioneuronal tumors. The prognostic and therapeutic significance of this alteration is unclear and merits further study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)66-72
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of neuropathology and experimental neurology
Volume71
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • BRAF
  • Brain tumor
  • Glioneuronal
  • MAPK
  • Pilocytic astrocytoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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