Caris Diagnostics Providing KRAS Mutational Analysis for Colon Cancer Patients

Caris Diagnostics (Caris Dx), a provider of diagnostic, translational development and pharmaceutical services encompassing anatomic pathology and molecular testing, announced that it is now offering KRAS mutation analysis, designed to provide information on which colon cancer patients are most likely to respond to cetuximab (Erbitux), comarketed by ImClone and Bristol-Myers Squibb, or panitumumab (Vectibix) developed by Amgen.

This assay, which can be performed on biopsies taken for the initial cancer diagnosis, identifies those patients who have somatic mutations in KRAS, which is associated with a lack of response to cetuximab or panitumumab. This prognostic information has recently been validated in a number of retrospective studies and will help better suggest which patients are most likely not going to respond to these two agents.

Caris Dx’s KRAS assay is comprehensive in that it detects any and all nucleotide changes at the three validated KRAS codons (12, 13, and 61) that alter amino acids at these positions, offering an advantage over other laboratories that may only screen for a few specific mutations in codons 12 and 13.

Physicians who are seeking additional information for their patients when considering treatment with cetuximab and/or pantiumumab can order mutation analysis for KRAS by contacting 1-800-901-5177.