Prof Scott Kopetz speaks to ecancer about the BREAKWATER primary analysis.

The study evaluated encorafenib combined with FOLFIRI chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.

The combination demonstrated a significant improvement in response rates compared with standard chemotherapy, with responses that were both rapid and durable.

Prof Kopetz says that this early survival data also suggests a potential benefit, although longer follow-up is ongoing.

Importantly, the addition of encorafenib did not meaningfully increase treatment discontinuation rates, and the safety profile remained consistent with known effects of each therapy.

These findings support encorafenib plus FOLFIRI as a potential new first-line treatment option for this high-risk subgroup of colorectal cancer patients.