Oncogenic BRAF alterations and their role in brain tumors

Abstract

Alterations of the v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) have been extensively studied in several tumor entities and are known to drive cell growth in several tumor entities. Effective targeted therapies with mutation-specific small molecule inhibitors have been developed and established for metastasized malignant melanoma. The BRAF V600E mutation and KIAA1549-BRAF fusion are alterations found in several brain tumors and show a distinct prognostic impact in some entities. Besides the diagnostic significance for the classification of central nervous system tumors, these alterations present possible therapy targets that may be exploitable for oncological treatments, as it has been established for malignant melanomas. In this review the different central nervous system tumors harboring BRAF alterations are presented and the diagnostic significance, prognostic role, and therapeutic potential are discussed.