Colorectal Cancer with the BRAF V600E Mutation: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

Colorectal cancer usually develops from stepwise, multiple mutations involving oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in the BRAF and RAS genes that dysregulate MAPK signaling are strongly associated with human malignancies. Colorectal cancer with the BRAF V600E mutation that causes cell proliferation without the need for growth factors has a worse prognosis than those without mutations. A BRAF V600E mutation was identified as an adverse prognostic factor for progression-free and overall survival. In this study, we analyze two cases of colorectal cancer with the BRAF V600E mutation and the literature data to investigate potential pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying metastatic colorectal cancer.