CONTEXT: KRAS mutations can be detected in approximately 30% to 40% of all patients with colorectal cancer. Several recent studies have shown that patients with KRAS mutations in codons 12 or 13 in metastatic tumors do not benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy with cetuximab or panitumumab. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the role of KRAS mutation testing for management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and to discuss testing strategies. DATA SOURCES: This review is based on published, peer-reviewed literature; available information from medical organizations (eg, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Society of Clinical Oncology, College of American Pathologists); and information from clinical laboratories conducting KRAS mutation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple methods for detecting KRAS mutations in colorectal tumors are available, and all methods in current clinical use appear to have adequate clinical sensitivity for predicting a lack of response to cetuximab and panitumumab. Pathologist expertise is essential to quality KRAS testing and to determining effective treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
CONTEXT: KRAS mutations can be detected in approximately 30% to 40% of all patients with colorectal cancer. Several recent studies have shown that patients with KRAS mutations in codons 12 or 13 in metastatic tumors do not benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy with cetuximab or panitumumab. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the role of KRAS mutation testing for management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and to discuss testing strategies. DATA SOURCES: This review is based on published, peer-reviewed literature; available information from medical organizations (eg, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Society of Clinical Oncology, College of American Pathologists); and information from clinical laboratories conducting KRAS mutation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple methods for detecting KRAS mutations in colorectal tumors are available, and all methods in current clinical use appear to have adequate clinical sensitivity for predicting a lack of response to cetuximab and panitumumab. Pathologist expertise is essential to quality KRAS testing and to determining effective treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: Frank S Ong; Kingshuk Das; Jay Wang; Hana Vakil; Jane Z Kuo; Wendell-Lamar B Blackwell; Stephen W Lim; Mark O Goodarzi; Kenneth E Bernstein; Jerome I Rotter; Wayne W Grody Journal: Expert Rev Mol Diagn Date: 2012-07 Impact factor: 5.225