Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are used in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) therapies. KRAS and NRAS StripAssays® identify the most relevant genetic variants of KRAS and NRAS genes interfering with treatment/therapy success.
KRAS & NRAS
- Inhibiting EGFR with anti-EGFR mAbs prevents activation of the relevant signal transduction pathway. However, certain mutations in RAS genes result in permanent activation of parts of this pathway, rendering anti-EGFR therapies ineffective.
- Prior to treatment with anti-EGFR mAbs, mCRC patients should be tested for RAS variants, as positive patients are unlikely to benefit from this kind of therapy.
- KRAS and NRAS StripAssays® assist clinicians in the stratification of patients considered for anti-EGFR mAb therapies (i.e. cetuximab or panitumumab).