Survival Outcomes in BRAF V600E-Mutated Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Chemotherapy Alone vs. Chemotherapy Combined with Bevacizumab

Background

Patients with BRAF V600E-mutated advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) face a poor prognosis, with limited treatment options that can improve outcomes. This study aimed to compare the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those treated with chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab in the first-line setting.

Methods

The study involved 61 patients divided into two groups based on their first-line treatment regimen: chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab. Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare OS and PFS, while a Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to assess the risk of first-line medication therapies, adjusting for confounding factors.

Results

No significant difference was found in OS (P = 0.93; HR, 1.027; 95% CI, 0.555–1.901) or PFS (P = 0.29; HR, 0.734; 95% CI, 0.413–1.304) between the two treatment groups. Subgroup analysis also showed no significant differences in OS and PFS among subgroups. Multivariate analysis identified surgical treatment of the primary tumor and the presence of liver metastasis as independent prognostic indicators.

Conclusion

The study concluded that for patients with BRAF V600E-mutated advanced CRC, chemotherapy alone does not significantly differ in OS and PFS compared to chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab. This underscores the importance of developing new treatment options for this patient population, as current therapies do not provide a survival benefit.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with BRAF mutations present in a subset of patients associated with a particularly poor prognosis. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing discussion on the best first-line treatment strategies for patients with BRAF V600E-mutated advanced CRC, highlighting the need for further research and the development of more effective therapies.