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Interrogation of TERT promoter hotspot mutations in ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND
TERT promoter mutations increase telomerase activity, conferring cell immortality. The coexistence of TERT promoter mutations with BRAFV600E is associated with aggressiveness. Ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma are infiltrative neoplasms which harbor BRAFV600E; however, it remains unknown if these odontogenic tumours also show TERT promoter mutations.


METHODS
Genomic DNA of paraffin-embedded ameloblastomas (n=6) and ameloblastic carcinomas (n=3) were Sanger-sequenced to assess the hotspot TERT promoter mutations C228T and C250T. BRAFV600E status was screened by TaqMan allele-specific quantitative PCR.


RESULTS
None of the samples harbored TERT promoter mutations. The BRAFV600E mutation was positive in 3/6 of ameloblastomas and in 1/3 of ameloblastic carcinomas.


CONCLUSION
The absence of TERT promoter mutation in the samples, indicates that this molecular event is not relevant to the tumours' pathogenesis. Further studies are necessary to explore undefined genetic or epigenetic mechanisms related to TERT-upregulation in ameloblastoma, and the telomerase activity in ameloblastic carcinoma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.