Univariate analysis revealed that male gender, WHO performance status of 1 or 2, unresected primary tumour, right colon primary, baseline leukocytes >10 × 109/L, baseline platelet >400 × 109/L, baseline alkaline phosphatase >300 IU/L, baseline CEA upper limit of normal, BRAF mutation and no tumour response at 2 months were associated with a short duration of CFI (Table 3). This evidence concerns the gene BRAF and neoplasm.