Patients with Colorectal Cancer and BRAFV600E-Mutation in Argentina: A Real-World Study-The EMOGI-CRC01 Study.

Abstract

Background/objectives: The BRAF-mutation is a poor prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). There is a need for real-world data in low-middle-income countries regarding clinical characteristics, outcomes, and treatment strategies. This study aims to describe progression-free survival (PFS) and in the first- and second-line setting and sequences of treatment regimens.

Methods: We retrospectively analyze patients from ten oncology centers in Argentina, diagnosed with BRAF^V600E-mutated advanced CRC between January 2014 and July 2023.

Results: A total of 161 patients with metastatic CRC and BRAF^V600E-mutation. The median age was 58.5 (IQR 47-69), and 21.7% were MMR-deficient (dMMR). Of these patients, 93.8% received first-line treatment. With a median follow-up of 23 months (95% CI 16.5-33.4 months), the median PFS was 9 months (95% CI 7.4-10.5 months). The most common regimen in first line setting was doublet chemotherapy plus anti-VEGF for 49% of the patients. Twenty-six percent of the patients received BRAF inhibitors in the second-line setting, with a median PFS of 5.2 months (95% CI 4.9-NR); the overall response rate (ORR) was 10.5%.

Conclusions: This study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the largest published real-world cohort of BRAF^V600E-mutated CRC in Latin America. The heterogeneity of the treatments reflects the existence of barriers to access to high-cost drugs in our country. Cooperative efforts are needed to understand the particular characteristics of this subgroup of patients.