title: No evidence of NRAS mutation in squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC).
abstract: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is usually expressed in squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC) and anti-EGFR agents could represent a valid treatment strategy, also considering that KRAS and BRAF mutations are rare events in this type of cancer. However, no data are available on NRAS status in SCAC. In this study we analyzed NRAS status (exons 2-4) by Pyrosequencing in a case series of 50 SCAC patients previously characterized in our laboratory for KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA mutations and HPV and HIV infections. We found no mutation in NRAS gene. These results confirm that since the principal anti-EGFR resistance mechanisms are almost absent in SCAC, anti-EGFR agents should be considered for the treatment of this type of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casadei Gardini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarpi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Frassineti
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saragoni
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, S.Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puccetti
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, University Hospital, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scartozzi
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Unit, Macerata Hospital, Macerata, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Degli Infermi Hospital, Faenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tamberi
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Degli Infermi Hospital, Faenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corbelli
authors.affiliation: Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ulivi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; C579846:NRAS protein, human