BRAF-Mutated Melanoma Journey in Latin America: Expert Recommendations From Diagnosis to Treatment.

Objectives: • Gather a panel of Latin American experts in testing and treating BRAF -melanoma. • Describe the current landscape of BRAF -mutated melanoma in Latin America. • Outline the current gaps in testing and recommend improvements for testing and treating BRAF -mutated melanoma in the region.
Introduction: Melanoma prevalence in Latin America is lower than in high- and middle-income countries. However, recent data indicate that the region's incidence and mortality are rising, with more stage IV patients being diagnosed. According to international clinical practice guidelines, conducting BRAF -mutation testing in patients with stage III or stage IV melanoma and high-risk resected disease is imperative. Still, BRAF -mutation testing and targeted therapies are inconsistently available in the region.
Methods: Americas Health Foundation convened a meeting of Latin American experts on BRAF -mutated melanoma to develop guidelines and recommendations for diagnosis through treatment.
Results and Conclusions: Some recommendations for improving diagnostics through improving access and reducing the cost of BRAF -mutation testing, enhancing efficiency in pathology laboratories, and creating country-specific local guidelines. The panel also gave treatment recommendations for neo-adjuvant therapy, adjuvant therapy, and therapy for patients with metastatic disease in Latin America.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.