Diseases · Published 2026-08-04 · DOI 10.3390/diseases14080278
Merita Hashani, Arjeta Podrimaj-Bytyqi
Background/Objective: Melanoma is an aggressive skin malignancy characterized by significant molecular heterogeneity. Among the molecular alterations identified in melanoma, <i>BRAF</i> mutations represent one of the most common genetic abnormalities and play an important role in activating the MAPK signaling pathway. <i>BRAF</i> mutation status has become clinically important because of its prognostic significance and implications for targeted therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of <i>BRAF</i> mutations and their associations with demographic, histopathological, and clinicopathological characteristics in melanoma patients at the only referral center for <i>BRAF</i> testing in Kosova, the Institute of Pathology, University Clinical Center of Kosova (UCCK). Methods: This retrospective study included 127 melanoma patients. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, Spearman’s correlation and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between <i>BRAF</i> mutation status and clinicopathological variables, including age, gender, Breslow thickness, histological type, ulceration, and anatomical localization. Results: <i>BRAF</i> mutation was identified in 76 of 127 melanoma patients (59.8%). The <i>BRAF</i> V600E/V600E2/V600D variants represented the predominant molecular subtype (75%). <i>BRAF</i>-positive melanoma was more frequently observed in younger patients and was significantly associated with increased Breslow thickness, nodular melanoma, ulceration, and trunk localization. Conclusions: <i>BRAF</i> mutations were highly prevalent in melanoma patients from Kosova and were associated with clinicopathological features of a more aggressive disease. The findings establish an important baseline for molecular epidemiology in the country and support the integration of routine <i>BRAF</i> testing into personalized melanoma management and future regional research.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Hashani, M., Podrimaj-Bytyqi, A. (2026). Association Between BRAF Mutation Status and Clinicopathological Features in Melanoma Patients in Kosova. Diseases. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14080278