ASCO favors routine KRAS test in colon ca
SAN FRANCISCO-ASCO released a provisional clinical opinion that recommends routine KRAS testing to guide treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix).
SAN FRANCISCO-ASCO released a provisional clinical opinion that recommends routine KRAS testing to guide treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix).
The PCO (www.asco.org/pco/kras) states that all patients with metastatic colon cancer, who have the wild-type form of the gene and who are candidates for anti-EFGR therapy, have their tumors tested.
If a patient has a mutated form of the KRAS gene, the PCO recommends against the use of anti-EFGR antibody therapy. An economic analysis presented at the 2008 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium found that routine testing for KRAS gene mutations could save the U.S. health system up to $604 million per year in the cost of cetuximab alone.
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