Introduction BRAF mutations are a known adverse prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the impact of BRAF mutations on survival outcomes in patients undergoing liver resection for CRC metastases.
Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Central Controlled Trials, and Embase databases as of May 31, 2023. The inclusion criteria included studies reporting survival outcomes in patients with BRAF-mutant CRC undergoing liver resection.
Results A total of 34 studies with a median follow-up of 48 months were included. Key findings include:
- Increased Mortality Risk: BRAF mutations were associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (HR = 2.56, 95% CI 2.04–3.22; P < 0.01) and relapse (HR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.44–2.71; P < 0.01).
- Survival Benefit of Surgery: Liver resection in BRAF-mutant CRC patients conferred a survival benefit with an HR of 0.44 (95% CI 0.33–0.59; P < 0.01).
Conclusion This meta-analysis confirms that while BRAF mutations are linked to poor outcomes in metastatic CRC, surgical intervention in the form of liver resection can significantly reduce mortality risk. These findings highlight the importance of considering liver resection in treatment plans for CRC patients with BRAF mutations.
For full details, refer to the original study available at here.
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