Dual priming oligonucleotide–based multiplex PCR analysis for detection of BRAFV600E mutation in FNAB samples of thyroid nodules in BRAFV600E mutation–prevalent area

Abstract

To evaluate the diagnostic value of dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of BRAF(V600E) mutations in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) of thyroid nodules. Our institutional review board approved this retrospective study, and informed consent was not required from patients. The 130 patients underwent US-FNAB to evaluate BRAF status in thyroid nodules. In FNAB washouts, DPO-based multiplex PCR, direct DNA sequencing, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to detect BRAF(V600E). The diagnostic performance of these methods was calculated. We compared cytologic results by BRAF status. Diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were highest when screening with DPO-based multiplex PCR. BRAF(V600E) positivity was a useful marker at thyroid nodules with "suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma" or "inadequate" cytological result. DPO-based multiplex PCR may be an alternative to direct DNA sequencing because of its high sensitivity, high accuracy, and simplicity. BRAF(V600E) may be a useful additional diagnostic marker in BRAF(V600E)-prevalent areas.