BRAF mutations and dysregulation of the MAP kinase pathway associated to sinonasal mucosal melanomas

Abstract: Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNM) is a rare and aggressive type of melanoma, and because of this, we currently have a limited understanding of its genetic and molecular constitution. The incidence among SNMs of somatic mutations in the genes involved in the main molecular pathways, which have been largely associated with cutaneous melanoma, is not yet fully understood. Through a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach using a panel of 25 genes involved in melanoma pathogenesis customized by our group, we performed a mutation analysis in a cohort of 25 SNM patients. Results showed that pathogenic mutations were found in more than 60% of SNM cases at a somatic level, with strikingly 32% of them carrying deleterious mutations in the BRAF gene. The identified mutations mostly lack the typical UV signature associated with cutaneous melanomas and showed no significant association with any histopathological parameter. Oncogenic activation of the BRAF-depending pathway, which may induce immune tolerance into the tumour microenvironment (i.e., by increasing the VEGF production) was poorly associated with mutations in genes that have been related to diminished clinical benefit of the treatment with BRAF inhibitors. Screening for mutations in BRAF and other MAPK genes should be included in the routine diagnostic test for a better classification of SNM patients.