Abstract
•KRAS and BRAF mutations as predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS) in colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment of CRC liver metastases (CLM).•Meta-analysis to estimate the prognostic value of both KRAS and BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment of CRC liver metastases (CLM).•KRAS and BRAF mutations are prognostic biomarkers, associated with worse survival outcomes in patients undergoing hepatic resection of CLM.
Clinical trials investigated the potential role of both KRAS and BRAF mutations, as prognostic biomarkers, in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who underwent surgical treatment of CRC-related liver metastases (CLM), showing conflicting results. This meta-analysis aims to review all the studies reporting survival outcomes (recurrence free survival (RFS), and/or overall survival (OS)) of patients undergoing resection of CLM, stratified according to KRAS and/or BRAF mutation status.
Data from all published studies reporting survival outcomes (RFS and/or OS) of CRC patients who received resection of CLM, stratified by KRAS and/or BRAF mutation status were collected, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled HRs were calculated for both the OS and/or RFS.
Seven eligible trials (1403 patients) were included. Pooled analysis showed that KRAS mutations predicted a significantly worse both RFS (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.23–2.21) and OS (HR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.51–2.30) in patients who underwent surgical resection of CLM. BRAF mutations were also associated with a significantly worse OS (HR: 3.90; 95% CI: 1.96–7.73) in this subgroup of patients.
This meta-analysis suggests both KRAS and BRAF mutations as poor, prognostic biomarkers, associated with worse survival outcomes, in patients undergoing hepatic resection of CLM.