Authors' recommendations: Colon and rectal cancer are collectively known as colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the third most common cancer in the United States. The morbidity and mortality associated with CRC are significant, with an estimated 49,380 deaths caused by CRC in 2011. The 5-year survival rate for those diagnosed with CRC is 67% over all stages; however, this drops to 12% in those with metastatic disease. Treatment of CRC through surgery is the usual approach for cancers that have not metastasized, and is often curative. Before or following surgery, chemotherapy, sometimes with radiotherapy, is given to patients with stage III or IV cancer. Cetuximab (Erbitux®; Imclone Systems/Bristol-Myers Squibb) and panitumumab (Vectibix®; Amgen Inc.) are anti–epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies that are used for first-line or second-line/tertiary treatment in patients with metastatic disease. Clinical evidence suggests that the benefit from these drugs is limited to a subgroup of 10% to 30% of CRC patients. Accordingly, biomarkers are needed to help select those patients who will benefit from treatment with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. One of the biomarkers that has been investigated as a negative prognostic indicator is the presence of sequence variants in the v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) gene. KRAS sequence variants are found in approximately 40% of white patients with CRC and are generally absent in normal controls.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2011

URL for published report: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=8789

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2011 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc