title: Anti-EGFR Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in the Era of Extended RAS Gene Mutational Analysis.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In the past 2 decades, advances in cancer therapeutics allowed for a remarkable improvement in terms of survival for patients with metastatic CRC. The advent of targeted therapy, coupled with more efficient chemotherapy regimens, was the pillar achievement that contributed to the success of CRC therapy. Cetuximab and panitumumab, monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, are the focus of this review since their mechanism of action and efficiency are closely related to the mutational status of a predictive biomarker, the Kristen rat Sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS). More recently, another biomarker, the neuroblastoma rat sarcoma viral oncogene (NRAS), was found to be as valuable for the refinement of this targeted therapy. The arguments for the use of extended analysis of the RAS gene are thoroughly reviewed because they directly affect the choice of targeted agents and potentially the choice of backbone chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Hematology Oncology, Hôpital Notre Dame, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, QC, H2L 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kassouf
authors.affiliation: Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Hematology Oncology, Hôpital Notre Dame, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, QC, H2L 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Samer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tabchi
authors.affiliation: Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Hematology Oncology, Hôpital Notre Dame, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, QC, H2L 4M1, Canada. matohfe@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tehfe
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077544:Panitumumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077544:Panitumumab; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab