A plain language summary of the molecular changes in the tumors of people with BRAF V600E–mutant colorectal cancer in the BEACON study

Abstract

What is this summary about? This summary discusses the genetic and molecular changes in tumors of participants with BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic colorectal cancer who were treated with encorafenib plus cetuximab, with or without binimetinib, in the BEACON study. What were the results? Encorafenib plus cetuximab, with or without binimetinib, reduced the risk of participants dying compared with cetuximab plus chemotherapy, regardless of genetic or molecular colorectal cancer subtypes. The study also found genetic and molecular changes in the participants’ tumors during treatment that were associated with how long they lived. What do the results of the study mean? The types of genetic and molecular changes that occur during treatment in participants’ tumors can affect their response to treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors.