BRAF (Rapidly Accelerated murine Fibrosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B) is a gene found in cells that is important for cell growth and survival. 

In some people, when the BRAF gene changes or mutates, it creates an abnormal protein. This can make the cells grow out of control, causing cancer. When this happens in the lungs, it’s called BRAF-positive or BRAF+ lung cancer.  

BRAF-positive lung cancer can be found through biomarker testing. Biomarker testing tells your healthcare team what mutations or changes cancer cells have, and your results can help guide your healthcare team to the best treatment for you. People with stages 1B through 4B (IB through IVB) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) should ask for comprehensive biomarker testing because it looks for all known biomarkers instead of just a few.

Scientists have found many different types of changes in BRAF in lung cancer. More than half of people with a BRAF mutation in NSCLC have a change known as BRAF V600E, where a single change in the BRAF gene causes tumor growth. Currently, all FDA-approved targeted therapies for BRAF-positive lung cancer are for people with a BRAF V6OOE change.

• It occurs in about 4 out of every 100 cases (4%) of lung cancer. 
• It most often occurs in a type of NSCLC called adenocarcinoma. 
• Most often occurs in women and people without a smoking history. 

If your biomarker testing finds that you have a change in the BRAF V600E gene, you will most likely receive a targeted therapy treatment. Targeted therapies are a special type of drug that can "target" cancer cells based on what makes them different from healthy cells. Because of this, healthy cells in the body are often not affected by targeted therapies, resulting in fewer side effects.  

Most targeted therapy treatments are pills, but a few are given through an IV or a port (a small tube inserted in a vein). The drug names that end in -ib are pills and can be taken at home. The drug names that end in -mab are given through an IV at a cancer center. 

Below is a list of targeted therapy drugs that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for use with BRAF V600E NSCLC. The FDA approves each drug for use in NSCLC at specific stages of the disease.   

Everyone is different, and the side effects you may have while receiving treatment can vary. Some people experience side effects, while others don’t. Ask a member of your healthcare team about the possible side effects of your treatment and when to seek medical attention.