BRAF V600E Mutation in Ameloblastoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumour, and the patient always presents at a later stage when the tumour is already in an aggressive state. The finding of high mutation of BRAF V600E indicates the need to explore the molecular pathogenesis of ameloblastoma. However, there is inconsistent evidence regarding this mutation occurrence and its association with clinical information. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to pool the overall mutation prevalence of BRAF V600E in reported ameloblastoma cases and to determine its association with patient demographic and clinicopathological features. This meta-analysis shows that BRAF V600E mutation has a high pooled prevalence of 70.49% in ameloblastoma. Furthermore, there was a significant meta-analysis association for those younger than 54 years old and in the mandible. Researchers could utilise these findings to improve the treatment option and find a possible new biomarker for the early detection of ameloblastoma. ABSTRACT: The discovery that ameloblastoma has a high mutation incidence of BRAF V600E may enable a better investigation of pathophysiology. However, there is inconsistent evidence regarding this mutation occurrence and its association with clinical information. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to pool the overall mutation prevalence of BRAF V600E in reported ameloblastoma cases and to determine its association with patient demographic and clinicopathological features. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive article search was conducted through four databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science). Seventeen articles between 2014 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria with 833 ameloblastoma cases. For each included study, the significance of BRAF V600E on the outcome parameters was determined using odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Meta-analysis prevalence of BRAF V600E in ameloblastoma was 70.49%, and a significant meta-analysis association was reported for those younger than 54 years old and in the mandible. On the contrary, other factors, such as sex, histological variants, and recurrence, were insignificant. As a result of the significant outcome of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastoma pathogenesis, targeted therapy formulation can be developed with this handful of evidence.