Miju Bae, Ph.D., Sung Woon Chung, M.D., Ph.D., Jonggeun Lee, M.D., Eunji Kim, M.D., Gayeon Kang, M.D., Moran Jin, M.D.. J Chest Surg 2023;56:328-35. https://doi.org/10.5090/jcs.22.148

Soojin Lee, M.D., Jeong Su Cho, M.D., Eunsoo Kim, M.D., Yeongdae Kim, M.D., Jonggeun Lee, M.D.. J Chest Surg 2022;55:30-6. https://doi.org/10.5090/jcs.21.119

Min Jung Ku, M.D., Su Wan Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Seogjae Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Jee Won Chang, M.D., Ph.D., Jonggeun Lee, M.D.. Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2020;53:258-62. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.19.055

Hyo Yeong Ahn, M.D., Yeong Dae Kim, M.D., Hoseok I, M.D., Jeong Su Cho, M.D., Jonggeun Lee, M.D., Joohyung Son, M.D.. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2016;49:456-60. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2016.49.6.456

Background and Objectives: BRAF mutational status in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Korean population is poorly understood. We explored BRAF (particularly BRAF V600E) mutational status among Korean patients with NSCLC. Materials and Methods: This study included 378 patients with resected primary NSCLC who were enrolled from January 2015 to December 2017. The authors obtained formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks and performed peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-clamping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting BRAF V600, real-time PCR for detecting BRAF V600E, and immunohistochemical analyses using the mutation-specific Ventana VE1 monoclonal antibody. For positive cases in any methods mentioned above, direct Sanger sequencing was additionally performed. Results: The PNA-clamping method revealed the BRAF V600 mutation in 5 (1.3%) of the 378 patients. Among these five patients, real-time PCR, direct Sanger sequencing detected BRAF V600E mutations in three (0.8%) patients. Thus, two cases showed differences in their PNA-clamping and the others. Direct Sanger sequencing of PNA-clamping PCR product was performed for two cases showing negative results on direct Sanger sequencing; both contained BRAF mutations other than V600E. All patients harboring BRAF mutations had adenocarcinomas, and all patients with V600E mutation exhibited minor micropapillary components. Conclusions: Despite the low incidence of the BRAF mutation among Korean patients with NSCLC, lung adenocarcinoma patients with micropapillary components should be prioritized in terms of BRAF mutation testing. Immunohistochemical staining using Ventana VE1 antibody may serve as a screening examination for BRAF V600E.

Min Jung Ku, M.D., Su Wan Kim, M.D., Ph.D.,, Seogjae Lee, M.D., Ph.D.,, Jee Won Chang, M.D., Ph.D.,, Jonggeun Lee, M.D., Dong Seop Jeong, M.D., Ph.D.. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020;53:140-3. https://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2020.53.3.140