We retrieved 27 cases of 1-4-cm-sized adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) arising from the PG (n = 12) and SMG (n = 15). c-KIT, VEGF-R2, and CD31 staining were quantified by image-based analysis to define the positive expression or tumor-associated vessel areas in two representative sections per case.
We analyzed 33 cases of ACC.Gene mutations in KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 were analyzed using paraffin-embedded tissue, and two different sets of primers with direct sequencing after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for exon 9, 11, 13, and 17, and cloning of PCR products for exon 11.
This analysis revealed that two ACC tumors without KIT mutations had missense mutations in either KRAS or BRAF, causing S17N K-Ras and V590I B-Raf mutants, respectively.
Our results implicate that specific KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, might be used in future therapeutic approaches against subgroups of ACC.