OBJECTIVES: Assess the epidemiological and economic burden of u-mMel and mCRC in addition to their BRAF mutations in adult patients in Argentina (AR), Costa Rica (CR), Panama (PA), and Dominican Republic (DR).

METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological and an economic targeted literature review (TLR) for each condition in AR, CA, PA and DR. Literature published in English or Spanish was identified by searching PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and Google Scholar. A staggered methodology was followed, therefore if no information was found, the search was expanded to include LATAM studies. Epidemiological and economic TLRs included narrative studies, literature reviews, and observational studies from the last 20 years (2004-2023). For the review of official sites, information was obtained from GLOBOCAN and National Cancer Registries /Institutes.

RESULTS: There was an absence of economic evidence for u-mMel and mCRC (w/wo BRAF mutations) in LATAM. Although we found no information on u-mMel or mCRC with BRAF mutations in the four countries, a LATAM study provided evidence on the association between BRAF mutations and metastasis, and a study from Venezuela reported that 50% of the patients had a BRAF mutation. AR has the highest incidence rate of melanoma (annual incidence of 3.1/100,000-males and 2.8/100,000-females), followed by CR (2.5-100,000-males and 2.2/100,000-females). In the case of CRC, this condition is among the three most common cancers in AR and CR. AR’s age-standardized incidence rate (25.1/100,000) is higher than CR’s, LATAM’s, PA’s, and DR’s (17.2, 16.6, 13.9, and 12.9/100,000, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant evidence gap on the epidemiological and economic burden of u-mMel and mCRC and its associated BRAF mutations in the four countries and LATAM, ultimately hindering the development of local public health strategies/policies. Future studies should address these gaps to ensure equitable access to innovative therapies and to incorporate economic burden implications in the decision-making process.