BRAF testing in advanced colorectal cancer: is it ready for prime time?
Given that KRAS mutant colorectal tumors do not respond to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab or panitumumab, it is now standard that all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who are candidates for these therapies undergo KRAS testing. BRAF encodes a protein kinase, which is involved in intracellular signaling and cell growth and is a principal downstream effector of KRAS. BRAF is now increasingly being investigated in metastatic colorectal carcinoma. BRAF mutations occur in less than 10-15% of tumors and appear to be poor prognostic markers. However the predictive nature of this biomarker is yet undefined. This article will review the evidence behind both KRAS and BRAF testing in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Phillips
Brooke
B
Department of Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Kalady
Matthew
M
Kim
Richard
R
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics*; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C117307:KRAS protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins