Purpose: To investigate protein and genetic status of BRAF V600E in ameloblastomas, ameloblastic carcinomas and cysts, and to explore if recurrence and malignant transformation of ameloblastomas depends on BRAF status.
Methods: Twenty cysts, 25 primary ameloblastomas, 25 recurrent ameloblastomas and 8 ameloblastic carcinomas were analysed by immunohistochemistry, and 2 cysts, 5 primary ameloblatomas, 5 recurrent ameloblastomas, 3 atypical ameloblastomas and 6 ameloblastic carcinomas were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR). SPSS 26.0 software package was used for data analysis.
Results: There was no correlation between BRAF V600E expression and recurrence. Cysts and carcinomas had lower frequencies of BRAF V600E mutations than ameloblastomas. There was a concordance between positive staining of BRAF V600E protein and BRAF V600E mutation.
Conclusions: BRAF V600E mutation may be useful in the differential diagnosis of ameloblastomas with cysts and ameloblastic carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry may be a beneficial method to screen for BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastoma.