BRAF mutation

A BRAF mutation involves a change in the BRAF gene, which produces a protein that helps regulate cell growth and division. When mutated, this gene can cause cells to grow uncontrollably, leading to the development of cancers such as melanoma, colorectal, and thyroid cancers. The most common mutation, called V600E, results in an abnormal BRAF protein that continuously signals cells to divide. Identifying BRAF mutations helps doctors determine targeted therapies, such as specific drugs that block the abnormal BRAF protein, offering more effective treatment options for patients with these mutations.