BRAF gene mutation and papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Nowadays, Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most common malignant tumor of endocrine system, accounting for about 1% of the malignant tumors in the whole body, ranking first in the head and neck malignant tumors. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a malignant tumor originated from thyroid follicular epithelial cells, which is the most common pathological type in TC. V-RAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) is a molecular biological marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of PTC and a target gene for the treatment of PTC. Its gene mutation is a hot point in the TC research field. The most common gene mutation is BRAF V600E mutation and it is a molecular marker in PTC. With the deep-going of its research, contradictions and controversies about the relationship between BRAF V600E and PTC gradually emerge. Many molecular targeted drugs targeting BRAF gene are also being continuously researched and some achievements have been made. This review mainly expounds the relationship between BRAF V600E and clinicopathological features, analyzes and expounds the controversial parts currently as well as show the research status of molecular targeted drugs.