KRAS mutation testing in therapeutic algorithm for treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

Colorectal carcinomas are freguently targeted with monoclonal anti-EGFR antobodies. Activating somatic mutations in codons 12 and 13 of the exon 2 of KRAS gene are considered negative predictive factors of response to anti-EGFR therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

In the Czech Republic, evoluation of mutational status of KRAS gene is performed in several referral laboratories. In 2009, these laboratories performed 2580 tests of the KRAS mutational status - out of these, 60.2% cases reported, wild-type KRAS.

Keywords

• k-ras
• colorectal carcinoma
• targeted therapy
• anti EGFR therapy
• predictive molecular ancology
• standardization of diagnostic procedure