BRAF TESTING FOR CRC

AND MELANOMA in Latin America

Worldwide, both colorectal cancer and melanoma represent heavy burdens to society and individuals alike. Colorectal cancer has the second highest mortality rates across the globe, being the second most common cancer in women and third most common in men - since 1990 colorectal cancer has presented a 9.5% increase in incidence, reporting 1.8 million patients in 2017. An estimate of 1.15 million deaths and 24.28 million disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) were attributed to colorectal cancer in 2019. BRAF mutation is present in approximately 50% of all patients diagnosed with melanomas and in 10% of those with colorectal cancer. Discovering the expression of this specific biomarker in both cancers has unleashed the potential for molecular targeted therapies. In patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma, the adoption of a combined targeted treatment approach has shown a dramatic increase in overall survival (OS): patients receiving combination therapy targeting BRAF and MEK present an OS of 25.9 months, whereas those receiving only chemotherapy present an OS of 6 months. Through these evolving therapeutic trends, the benefits of personalized care have become increasingly clear in improving prognosis and amplifying treatment options.

In Latin America, colorectal cancer and melanoma represent a heavy burden to populations, governments, and health systems. On one hand, linked to socioeconomic development, colorectal cancer incidence in Argentina and Brazil is reported to have reached levels comparable to those of higher income countries. Registering a total of 134 943 new cases in 2020, it is the fifth most diagnosed cancer in LA. On the other hand, following global trends, the incidence of melanoma in LA has increased during the past decades. In 2020, 18,881 new cases were reported in LA and the Caribbean with 5,657 deaths. Despite the significant burden caused by melanoma and colorectal cancer to society and health systems in LA, and the clear importance of BRAF testing to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of both diseases, several barriers flog the development of the genetic landscape in LA, undermining the potential of evolving therapies and personalized care.

As a result, in June 2022, the Americas Health Foundation (AHF) conducted a virtual meeting of seven medical experts on oncology from the countries of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico to address the gaps and barriers surrounding BRAF-testing in melanoma and colorectal cancer in Latin America (LA). The meeting resulted in a manuscript entitled “BRAF Testing in Melanoma and Colorectal Cancer in Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities” has been published by Cureus.

The full article is available here