# Scott Kopetz

Source: https://onco.cc/people/scott-kopetz/  
OnCo record `scott-kopetz` (Person). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Led BEACON and BREAKWATER, the trials that gave BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer its first targeted therapies.

## Summary

Scott Kopetz led BEACON CRC, which established encorafenib plus cetuximab for previously treated BRAF V600E colorectal cancer, and BREAKWATER, which moved the combination with chemotherapy into first line with a large survival gain. He co-developed the consensus molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer and leads ctDNA-guided adjuvant trials in the NCI cooperative groups.

## Fields

- Kind: Person
- Last checked: 2026-09-10
- Tags: colorectal; braf; targeted-therapy
- Role: Professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Specialisms: BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer; Targeted therapy; Circulating tumour DNA; Consensus molecular subtypes

## Sources

- PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Kopetz%20S%5BAuthor%5D%20BRAF%20colorectal

## Connected records

- cancers: [BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/braf-v600e-colorectal/), [Colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/colorectal/)
- technologies: [Liquid biopsy (ctDNA)](https://onco.cc/technologies/liquid-biopsy/), [Small-molecule kinase inhibitors](https://onco.cc/technologies/kinase-inhibitors/)
- targets: [BRAF](https://onco.cc/targets/braf/)
- drugs: [Encorafenib](https://onco.cc/drugs/encorafenib/)
- institutions: [MD Anderson Cancer Center](https://onco.cc/institutions/md-anderson/)
- trials: [BEACON CRC](https://onco.cc/trials/beacon-crc/), [BREAKWATER](https://onco.cc/trials/breakwater/)
- key papers: [BREAKWATER: encorafenib plus cetuximab with chemotherapy as first treatment for BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-breakwater-nejm-2025/), [Encorafenib, binimetinib, and cetuximab in BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer (BEACON CRC)](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-kopetz-beacon-encorafenib-braf-colorectal-nejm-2019/), [Molecular biomarkers for the evaluation of colorectal cancer: guideline from ASCP, CAP, AMP and ASCO](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-sepulveda-molecular-biomarkers-colorectal-guideline-jco-2017/), [Nivolumab in patients with metastatic DNA mismatch repair-deficient or microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer (CheckMate 142)](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-overman-checkmate-142-nivolumab-dmmr-colorectal-lancet-oncol-2017/), [Non-V600 BRAF mutations define a clinically distinct molecular subtype of metastatic colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-jones-non-v600-braf-colorectal-jco-2017/)
- roadmaps: [Colorectal cancer roadmap: from the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and the first screening trials to total mesorectal excision, oxaliplatin, RAS testing, immunotherapy for mismatch repair-deficient disease, ctDNA-guided treatment and organ preservation](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/colorectal-roadmap/)

---
JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/scott-kopetz.json