Encorafenib plus cetuximab in patients with BRAFV600E-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer — Polish multicenter experience

Abstract

Introduction. The BRAF mutation occurs in 8–12% of patients with colorectal cancer. This is associated with unfavorable prognosis — in metastatic disease, median survival does not exceed one year. Molecularly targeted treatment — encorafenib with cetuximab — is the standard of care in cases of chemotherapy failure. Material and methods. Medical data of 18 patients treated with encorafenib and cetuximab in 2021–2023 in 10 oncology centers in Poland were assessed. We analyzed clinical, pathomorphological, and molecular factors, as well as the effectiveness and safety of treatment. Results. The median age in the group was 63 years. Patients with metastases limited to one location predominated (78%). Treatment with encorafenib and cetuximab was used not only in the third (in 50% of patients) or fourth (in 28%) lines of treatment but also in the second (in 22%). The objective response rate was 29.4%, and the disease control rate was 76.4%. Due to the short follow-up period, median progression-free survival was not reached. Four patients (22%) had a response lasting over 12 months. Conclusions. This study confirmed the efficacy and safety of targeted treatment with encorafenib and cetuximab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with the BRAF V600E mutation.