Somatic mutations in BRAF have been found in 1-4% of all NSCLC most of which are adenocarcinomas. The K601E mutation results in an amino acid substitution at position 601 in BRAF, occurs within the highly conserved motif of the kinase domain. Most mutant BRAF proteins, such as K601E, have increased kinase activity and are transforming in vitro. Preclinical studies suggest that downstream signaling induced by the K601E mutant may be blocked by the BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib.

B-RAF is a member of the RAF-family of kinases which plays an important role in the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK mitotic signaling pathway. Eighty percent of all thyroid cancers are papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Presence of a BRAF p.Val600Glu (V600E) mutation is highly specific for papillary thyroid carcinoma and is only rarely associated with the follicular variant PTC and other well-differentiated thyroid neoplasms or nodular goiters. The K601E mutation results in an amino acid substitution at position 601 in BRAF, occurring within the highly conserved motif of the kinase domain. This is the second most common BRAF mutation found in thyroid nodules after V600E. Unlike BRAF V600E, K601E is strongly associated with follicular-patterned cancer, particularly with the encapsulated follicular variant of PTC, and may also be found in follicular thyroid carcinomas. Overall, BRAF K601E mutant tumors may show better clinical outcomes than BRAF V600E positive tumors.

Drug: Trametinib

RAS/RAF path mutation has been identified in 5-9 % of CLL patients. The K601E mutation results in an amino acid substitution at position 601 in BRAF, occurs within the highly conserved motif of the kinase domain. Most mutant BRAF proteins, such as K601E, have increased kinase activity and are transforming in vitro. Preclinical studies suggest that downstream signaling induced by the K601E mutant may be blocked by the BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib.

BRAF is a member of the RAF-family of kinases which plays an important role in the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK mitotic signaling pathway. The K601E mutation results in an amino acid substitution at position 601 in BRAF, occurs within the highly conserved motif of the kinase domain. Most mutant BRAF proteins, such as K601E, have increased kinase activity and are transforming in vitro. BRAF mutations are infrequent in urothelial carcinoma and are identified in 3-5% of cases. Preclinical studies are investigating the use of MEK and RAS inhibitors in BRAF K601E mutant cell lines. The clinicopathologic effects of BRAF in this cancer type remain to be fully elucidated.