Dr. Bahary on the Prognosis of BRAF-Mutant Colorectal Cancer

Nathan Bahary, MD, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, as well as a medical oncologist and hematologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center​ Hillman Cancer Center, discusses the prognosis of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC).

Until recently, the prognosis of BRAF-mutated CRC has been incredibly poor with a median overall survival (OS) ranging from 11 to 14 months compared with 26 to 30 months in those without the BRAF mutation, says Bahary. BRAF inhibitor monotherapies and BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations have been examined, although they did not elicit the same durable responses that have been observed in melanomas or other tumors, notes Bahary.

Updated results from the phase 3 BEACON CRC trial were presented during the 2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program. Results demonstrated a dramatic improvement in tumor response and OS, says Bahary. These positive results were seen in patients with BRAF V600E–mutated CRC who were treated with the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib (Braftovi) ​plus the MEK inhibitor binimetinib (Mektovi) and the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab (Erbitux) compared with standard chemotherapy. Notably, no benefit was observed with the doublet combination of encorafenib/binimetinib; however, encorafenib and cetuximab alone appear to offer a survival benefit for patients, concludes Bahary.