[Clinical significance of BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer]

BRAF mutations, present in 5 to 10% of colorectal cancers, have a proved oncogenic effect which is linked to their implication in the RAS/MAPK intracellular signalling pathway and they occurred at early stage of colorectal carcinogenesis. Many studies have therefore assessed their clinical significance as diagnostic and prognostic marker in colorectal cancers. More recently, their location downstream to EGFR and KRAS in the RAS/MAPK pathway have led to their evaluation as predictive marker of resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. This article aims to review the role of BRAF mutations in the diagnostic strategy of Lynch syndrome, their prognostic value in colorectal cancers and their potential value as predictive marker of resistance to anti-EGFR antibodies.