BRAF Mutations in Non-Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Current Relevance and Future Implications

BRAF(V600E)-mutated colorectal cancer (CRC) is a distinct entity that accounts for less than 10 % of all CRC patients and is associated with unique clinical and pathologic features. This biomarker also confers a poor prognostic outcome across all stages of CRC relative to wild-type counterparts. Currently, the landscape of effective therapies, both in terms of adjuvant treatment and in the metastatic setting, remains limited. This review will detail the role of the BRAF(V600E) mutation as a prognostic biomarker in the management of patients with nonmetastatic and metastatic CRC, and highlight recent advances in targeted therapies for this subset of CRC, which may represent the most significant progress made thus far toward improving survival in these patients. The role of mismatch repair status and its relationship with the BRAF(V600E) mutation in CRC will also be examined.