Detection of cell-free circulating BRAFV 600E by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in patients with and without melanoma under dermatological surveillance.

This study suggests that naevus-related factors do not influence the detection of cfBRAFV 600E in individuals without melanoma, and supports the clinical diagnostic value of plasma cfBRAFV 600E quantification in patients with melanoma. What's already known about this topic? The analysis of the BRAF c.1799T>A (p.V600E) mutation in cell-free (cf)DNA has emerged as a potential biomarker for monitoring prognosis and treatment response in patients with metastatic BRAFV600E melanoma. The BRAFV600E alteration is a common genetic alteration found in benign proliferations such as melanocytic naevi. No information exists about the impact of the number of common acquired naevi or the presence of clinically atypical naevi in cfBRAFV600E detection in an individual. What does this study add? The cfBRAFV600E mutation is detected in plasma from a reduced number of individuals without melanoma undergoing continuous dermatological follow-up. A high number of naevi or the presence of clinically atypical naevi are factors that do not influence cfBRAFV600E detection in an individual. Both total cfBRAF concentration and cfBRAFV600E frequency are effective biomarkers in patients with advanced melanoma but not in patients at early stages or with micrometastases. What is the translational message? Detection of cfBRAFV600E in an individual is not influenced by naevus-related factors. cfBRAFV600E is a robust and reliable biomarker that can be used in dermatological surveillance programmes.