Conversion Therapy With Encorafenib and Cetuximab for Chemo-Refractory BRAF V600E-Mutated Liver-Limited Colorectal Cancer Metastasis: The First Case Report

Standard chemotherapy plus surgery yields to unsatisfying results in BRAF-mutated colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Combination of targeted agents (encorafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, and cetuximab, an anti-EGFR) is the new standard of care for BRAF V600E-mutated mCRC refractory to a first-line standard chemotherapy. Up to now no evidence is available concerning the activity of this novel treatment as conversion therapy in CLM setting. Our case provides evidence, for the first time to our knowledge, of the activity of encorafenib plus cetuximab as conversion regimen for BRAF V600E-mutated CLM. Additional observations in this case report concern mechanisms underlying rapid occurrence of acquired resistance and the role of CEA serum levels as biomarker to monitor treatment activity and occurrence of resistance, allowing to optimize the timing of surgery. Further evidence on the role of doublet targeted regimen (encorafenib plus cetuximab) as conversion treatment in the setting of BRAF-mutant CLM is warranted.