Genetic Testing Identifies Favorable Respondents of Cancer Drug

By Richard Shank

Researchers from Australia reported on a new colorectal cancer study at the 33rd Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). The study indicates that genetic Cancer testing can help identify a group of patients with advanced colorectal cancer who are most likely to survive up to twice as long if treated with the drug Cetuximab.

In the study, researchers performed genetic analyses on 394 patients who were taking part in a larger study comparing monoclonal antibody Cetuximab with best supportive care.

Supportive care has traditionally been given to optimize the comfort of patients and their ability to function, as well as to minimize the side effects of anti-cancer treatments. However, the scope of modern comprehensive supportive care is broadening and covers not only specific palliative treatment, but also non-tumor specific treatment such as social, psychological, and spiritual support.

Their analysis compared the effect of mutations in the K-Ras gene to the overall survival rates for colorectal cancer. This gene provides key information that directs the communication pathways of cells. It sends cellular growth signals from the surface of the cell to the nucleus in a way that facilitates cellular growth and proliferation. This gene is mutated in up to 35% of colorectal cancers which means the gene gets stuck in its active form.

These researchers discovered that patients who have the specific K-Ras gene mutation and where treated with Cetuximab had a survival rate of nearly half that of those who had “wild-type” forms of gene mutation.

These findings suggest that the K-Ras mutation status of a patient should be considered as a new standard for care when selecting patients who are receiving treatments such as Cetuximab.

Source: European Society for Medical Oncology (2008, September 18). New Results Predict Treatment Response in Colorectal Cancer.

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