OBJECTIVES: BRAF mutation only occurs in 1.5-3.5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. Evidence on the real-world effectiveness of treatments with BRAF mutation is limited in China. The study aims to explore the real-world clinical outcome and healthcare resource utilization of current treatment options in Chinese BRAF-mutated NSCLC patients in the first-line setting.

METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. Histologically or cytologically diagnosed NSCLC patients detected harboring BRAF mutation between January 2019 and January 2022 were included. Patients tested positive for EGFR, ALK, MET, ROS or RET, or involved in clinical trials were excluded.

RESULTS: A total of 44 BRAF-mutated NSCLC patients were included. The mean (SD) age was 59.6 (9.9) years old, majority patients were male (84.1%) and at metastatic stage (75.0%). 20 patients (45.5%) harbored BRAF-V600 mutation. Among the 44 patients, 8 patients with dabrafenib plus trametinib (D+T) had a higher objective response rate (75%) than other regimens (immune checkpoint inhibitors [ICI] plus chemotherapy: 56%, chemotherapy: 38%, ICI monotherapy: 0%). Annual average frequency of inpatient admission was significantly lower in D+T group than ICI plus chemotherapy (3.7 vs. 15.2) and chemotherapy group (3.7 vs. 12.6) (both P<0.05). Similar trends were observed for the frequency of outpatient admission and length of hospital stay per inpatient admission. Compared with ICI plus chemotherapy, D+T had statistically significant lower frequency of regular testing, including chest scan (3.8 vs. 5.1), C-reactive protein tests (7.5 vs. 15.5), biochemistry tests (6.9 vs. 16.2) and routine blood tests (6.9 vs. 15.7); and use of dexamethasone (1.4 vs. 22.9). Similar trends were observed between groups of D+T and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates better clinical benefit of D+T therapy than other therapies for Chinese BRAF-muted NSCLC patients. Use of D+T might help to reduce healthcare resource utilization.