Relationship between BRAF V600E mutation and recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer—a systematic review

Introduction. The BRAF V600E mutation is implicated in the tumorigenesis of differentiated thyroid cancer, and its role in cancer recurrence remains debated. This systematic review aims to assess the relationship between BRAF mutations and the recurrence of DTC and its impact on lymph node metastasis and mortality. Methods. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was performed across PubMed and ScienceDirect databases covering studies published up to September 2024. Eligible studies reported on the association between BRAF V600E mutation and recurrence in DTC. Data on patient characteristics, recurrence rates, metastasis, and mortality were extracted for synthesis. Results. A total of seven studies with 4660 patients were included. Most of the patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma, and the mean age ranged from 40 to 54 years. Three studies found no significant association between BRAF V600E mutation and DTC recurrence, while two studies reported a significant association. Lymph node metastasis was associated with BRAF mutation in three studies, without contradictory findings. Regarding mortality, two studies found no significant association, whereas one study reported an increased mortality risk with BRAF mutation. Conclusions. The relationship between BRAF V600E mutation and recurrence in DTC is inconclusive, with mixed findings across the studies. BRAF V600E mutation is more consistently linked to lymph node metastasis, though its role in predicting recurrence and mortality remains uncertain. Further research with standardized methodologies is required to better understand the clinical implications of BRAF V600E mutations in DTC.