BRAF (B-raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase)

BRAF is a gene that produces a protein involved in cell growth and division by transmitting signals inside cells. When functioning normally, BRAF helps regulate cell activity. However, mutations or changes in this gene can cause the protein to be overactive, leading to uncontrolled cell growth, which may contribute to cancer development, especially in melanoma and other tumors. BRAF inhibitors are drugs designed to specifically target and block this overactivity, helping to slow or stop the progression of cancers driven by BRAF mutations.