Vol 5, No 1 (2009)
Review paper
Published online: 2009-02-02
KRAS status as a molecular predictive fac
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2009;5(1):9-15.
Abstract
Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies are new class of agents used in the treatment of
metastatic colorectal cancer. Since activity of EGFR-inhibitors in general population is limited, regardless of
the agent and regimen, the major issue now is to define factors which can be used in selecting patients for
such treatment. In recently reported large clinical studies, KRAS mutations has been shown to be highly
predictive of response and survival benefit from EGFR inhibitors. Available data indicates that patients with
mutated KRAS are not good candidates for treatment with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies because it is
ineffective and expose them to unnecessary toxicities. What is more, some data suggest that adding EGFR
inhibitor to chemotherapy in this population can even lead to poorer outcome. As KRAS mutational status is
a reliable negative predictive biomarker, it must be tested prior to initiating EGFR-targeted therapies.
Keywords: colorectal cancerpredictive factorsanti-EGFR antibodiesKRAS
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