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.
![We must work on clinical predictors based on the disease phenotype, we must work on the physician’s attitude, and [we must work to] stimulate the correct and timely usage of ruxolitinib.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2F0vv8moc6%2Fcancernetwork%2Fd5a069c33bbfe917bc7c0b1bb13d76c0a815cc44-234x234.png%3Ffit%3Dcrop%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75 "We must work on clinical predictors based on the disease phenotype, we must work on the physician’s attitude, and [we must work to] stimulate the correct and timely usage of ruxolitinib.")
