Methods for detecting circulating mutant BRAF DNA

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of circulating mutant BRAF DNA, which may be present in circulating melanoma cells or as DNA shed from tumor cells. Methods, compositions and kits which employ one or more sets of BRAF mutant specific primer pairs for detection of circulating mutant BRAF DNA are presented. Also provided are methods for diagnosing and/or determining stage/progression of a melanoma in a mammal based on detection of a BRAF mutant nucleic acid sequence. Such methods are also well suited to monitoring disease activity in patients with active disease or those in remission.