Even though activating mutations in the BRAF oncogene (BRAF(V600E)) were found in some 70% of primary melanomas, some 10% of colorectal cancers and some 30%−70% of papillary thyroid carcinoma, clinical responses to the highly selective small‐molecule inhibitor of the BRAF(V600E) oncoprotein, vemurafenib (PLX4032), differed widely, ranging from a response rate of approximately 80% in melanoma to only 5% in BRAF mutant colorectal cancers (CRCs). This evidence concerns the gene BRAF and thyroid gland papillary carcinoma.