Beyond KRAS When Choosing Colon Cancer Treatments

It is now considered the highest standard of care to test colon tumors in people with metastatic colon cancer for a biomarker called KRAS, before using certain treatments. KRAS refers to a gene that can be altered (mutated) in colon cancer cells. Studies show that if this alteration (mutation) is present, the anti-EGFR medications cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) are not effective and should not be used.

New research out of Italy, published in the medical journal PLoS ONE, suggests that in addition to testing for KRAS, cancer doctors should test for three other tumor markers, called BRAF, PIK3CA, and PTEN.

By testing patients for these three markers before treating them with anti-EGFR medications, doctors can reduce the likelihood of giving potentially toxic and very expensive therapy that isn't going to help the patient.

Why This Matters

Combining testing for KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and PTEN tumor markers with other new advances in cancer care, such as better ways to determine effective treatments without trial and error and surgeries and chemotherapies to improve survival, brings us closer to the day when all cancer care is personalized, highly effective, and less toxic.