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).

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.