Check the KRAS gene has become the treatment of colorectal cancer approach

Due to advances in molecular biology, found that the number of liver gene mutation or DNA changes occurred pleomorphic will cause different reactions to the drugs and side effects of the increase or reduction, such as lung epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) who have a mutation to target drugs such as Iressa or Tarceva have better efficacy, but the wild-type (EGFR wild type) although the effect has not mutated, but there is still a certain degree of efficacy, so the wild-type group also can not refuse their treatment. But since 2006 found that the availability of colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutation target for drug treatment is effective, there is the clinical phase of clearance. 

EGFR inhibitors in the cetuximab or panitimumab, KRAS mutation alone or with treatment greatly affected. That is generated when the EGFR mutation, the use of these two drugs target the treatment is not curative, that is, whether the combined chemotherapy cetuximab its clinical efficacy did not make much difference. Therefore, in the United States and Taiwan also began to study the use of EGFR inhibitors, colorectal cancer is best to first check whether the KRAS gene mutation, if mutation is recommended not to use cetuximab. This KRAS mutations account for almost 30 ~ 40% more than the prior inspection KRAS gene mutation in patients who have no need to use these therapeutic target not only can reduce the occurrence of side effects can also reduce unnecessary costs, because the cost of expensive drug target , for the people, society and the country is a great burden.