BRAF V600E mutation, BRAF-activated long non-coding RNA and miR-9 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma, and their association with clinicopathological features

Background The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide. This study investigated the association of B-type RAF kinase (BRAF) V600E mutation status, the expression of BRAF-activated long non-coding RNA (BANCR) and microRNA miR-9, and the clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods Clinicopathological data for PTC patients ( n = 51) diagnosed and treated between 2018 and 2019 were collected. Carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue samples were analyzed for the presence of the BRAF V600E mutation and/or expression of BANCR and miR-9. Results Larger tumor, higher rate of bilateral tumors and multifocality, extracapsular invasion, and lateral lymph node metastasis (LNM) were observed in PTC patients with BRAF V600E mutation. Patients with higher BANCR expression had a higher rate of extracapsular invasion and lateral LNM in carcinoma tissue and a lower frequency of bilateral tumors and multifocality in normal adjacent tissue. Patients with higher miR-9 expression had a lower rate of central and lateral LNM in carcinoma tissue and higher rates of bilateral tumor location and multifocality in normal adjacent tissue. Patients with BRAF V600E mutation have a higher rate of BANCR overexpression and tended to have a lower rate of miR-9 overexpression ( P = 0.057), and a negative association was observed between BANCR and miR-9 expression in carcinoma tissue. Conclusions BRAF V600E mutation and the BANCR and miR-9 expression were closely associated with the tumor size, bilateral tumor location, multifocality, extracapsular invasion, and lateral LNM. PTC patients with these clinicopathological characteristics, BRAFV600E mutation, and high BANCR expression and low miR-9 expression needed earlier surgical treatment and are recommended for total thyroidectomy in primary surgery for reducing the risk of recurrence. These findings provide new insight into the molecular basis for PTC and can inform strategies for the management of PTC.