Dual-targeted therapy for high-risk metastatic colorectal cancer included in National Health Insurance
In Taiwan, dual-targeted therapy for advanced colorectal cancer patients with the BRAF V600E genetic mutation has been included in the National Health Insurance. This offers new hope to high-risk patients who previously had limited treatment options, with expectations of extended average survival and a roughly 40% reduction in mortality risk.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 20:56
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 29th) Colorectal cancer remains one of Taiwan's most common cancers, with one-fifth of initial diagnoses being stage 4. Particularly for cases with the BRAF V600E gene mutation, treatment options were previously limited, with an average survival time of less than 15 months. Now, dual-targeted therapy is included in the National Health Insurance, bringing new hope to high-risk patients.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin, attending physician at the Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, said at a press conference today that colorectal cancer remains a significant health challenge for Taiwanese people. It has long been one of the cancers with the highest incidence in Taiwan, with over 19,000 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually. Approximately 20% of patients are diagnosed at stage 4, having already metastasized to other organs or parts, such as the liver and lungs.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin stated that some early-stage patients might still experience recurrence after treatment and progress to metastatic disease, especially those with certain gene mutations. For patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, the primary goals of treatment are to extend survival, control disease progression, and maintain quality of life. However, some high-risk groups still face challenges with limited treatment options.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin explained that metastatic colorectal cancer with the BRAF V600E mutation is highly malignant and progresses rapidly. Most patients diagnosed with this mutation already have widespread metastasis, often in the right colon, and frequently progress to peritoneal metastasis, leading to intestinal obstruction, which prevents patients from eating and defecating normally. Previously, treatment mainly involved chemotherapy and targeted therapy for control, with survival times typically not exceeding 15 months.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin said that with the development of precision medicine, Taiwan's colorectal cancer treatment has seen significant progress. For metastatic colorectal cancer patients with the BRAF V600E genetic mutation, dual-targeted therapy is officially included in the National Health Insurance coverage. This provides high-risk groups, who previously had limited treatment options, with the opportunity to receive more precise treatment at an appropriate time, further improving treatment accessibility and clinical choices.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin stated that the inclusion of BRAF V600E dual-targeted therapy in National Health Insurance fills a treatment gap for specific populations. It extends patients' overall survival time from 5.9 months to 9.3 months and reduces the risk of death by nearly 40%. This not only alleviates financial pressure but also allows critical treatment to be intervened promptly as the disease progresses, helping to improve treatment efficacy and survival opportunities, which is significant for eligible patients.
Dr. Chen Tzu-Liang, President of the Republic of China Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, pointed out that in the past, there were still unmet treatment needs in certain specific populations of colorectal cancer, especially for patients with the BRAF V600E gene mutation, who faced relatively limited treatment options. Clinical challenges still exist. With the development of precision medicine, genetic testing has become an important basis for colorectal cancer treatment decisions.
Dr. Chen Tzu-Liang said that by testing for key genes such as RAS and BRAF, physicians can understand the biological characteristics of tumors and formulate more precise treatment strategies. As BRAF gene testing has been included in National Health Insurance coverage in December 2024, eligible patients can receive testing and treatment opportunities at an early stage of the disease, which not only improves treatment precision but also helps improve overall prognosis. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 29th) Colorectal cancer remains one of Taiwan's most common cancers, with one-fifth of initial diagnoses being stage 4. Particularly for cases with the BRAF V600E gene mutation, treatment options were previously limited, with an average survival time of less than 15 months. Now, dual-targeted therapy is included in the National Health Insurance, bringing new hope to high-risk patients.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin, attending physician at the Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, said at a press conference today that colorectal cancer remains a significant health challenge for Taiwanese people. It has long been one of the cancers with the highest incidence in Taiwan, with over 19,000 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually. Approximately 20% of patients are diagnosed at stage 4, having already metastasized to other organs or parts, such as the liver and lungs.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin stated that some early-stage patients might still experience recurrence after treatment and progress to metastatic disease, especially those with certain gene mutations. For patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, the primary goals of treatment are to extend survival, control disease progression, and maintain quality of life. However, some high-risk groups still face challenges with limited treatment options.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin explained that metastatic colorectal cancer with the BRAF V600E mutation is highly malignant and progresses rapidly. Most patients diagnosed with this mutation already have widespread metastasis, often in the right colon, and frequently progress to peritoneal metastasis, leading to intestinal obstruction, which prevents patients from eating and defecating normally. Previously, treatment mainly involved chemotherapy and targeted therapy for control, with survival times typically not exceeding 15 months.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin said that with the development of precision medicine, Taiwan's colorectal cancer treatment has seen significant progress. For metastatic colorectal cancer patients with the BRAF V600E genetic mutation, dual-targeted therapy is officially included in the National Health Insurance coverage. This provides high-risk groups, who previously had limited treatment options, with the opportunity to receive more precise treatment at an appropriate time, further improving treatment accessibility and clinical choices.
Dr. Liang Yi-Hsin stated that the inclusion of BRAF V600E dual-targeted therapy in National Health Insurance fills a treatment gap for specific populations. It extends patients' overall survival time from 5.9 months to 9.3 months and reduces the risk of death by nearly 40%. This not only alleviates financial pressure but also allows critical treatment to be intervened promptly as the disease progresses, helping to improve treatment efficacy and survival opportunities, which is significant for eligible patients.
Dr. Chen Tzu-Liang, President of the Republic of China Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, pointed out that in the past, there were still unmet treatment needs in certain specific populations of colorectal cancer, especially for patients with the BRAF V600E gene mutation, who faced relatively limited treatment options. Clinical challenges still exist. With the development of precision medicine, genetic testing has become an important basis for colorectal cancer treatment decisions.
Dr. Chen Tzu-Liang said that by testing for key genes such as RAS and BRAF, physicians can understand the biological characteristics of tumors and formulate more precise treatment strategies. As BRAF gene testing has been included in National Health Insurance coverage in December 2024, eligible patients can receive testing and treatment opportunities at an early stage of the disease, which not only improves treatment precision but also helps improve overall prognosis. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.