Clinical significance of the KRAS mutation.

The challenge of translational medicine is to translate very complex scientific data into the clinical setting so that medical management can be better guided towards the ultimate goal of better patient outcome. Physicians now have the opportunity to use specific biomarkers to personalize therapeutic options in various settings. Recent research has demonstrated that presence of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation may directly influence medical decisions in patients with colon and lung cancer. Use of KRAS oncogene as a selection marker for specific treatment is a good example of individualized medicine approach to cancer treatment.