KRAS and NRAS genes mutations as biomarkers in the therapy of colorectal cancer and the basic methods of their detection

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Abstract

Determination of the mutations' status in the KRAS and NRAS genes is a necessary requirement in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients with certain mutations in the KRAS and NRAS genes are resistant to anti-EGFR drug therapy and have a lower median survival rate than those with WT (wild type) genotypes, that indicates a negative prognosis in the case when mutations are present. Currently, there are no registered targeted drugs for carriers of the KRAS and NRAS genes mutations, however, preparations based on small molecules are under way. The gold standard for detecting mutations in the KRAS and NRAS genes is the analysis of the biopsy material in paraffin blocks. However, this method has significant limitations that can be circumvented by the analysis of circulating tumor DNA — a promising new method in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

About the authors

Olga I. Brovkina

Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia

Email: brov.olia@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0946-7331
SPIN-code: 3631-1397

Cand. Sci. (Biol.)

Russian Federation, 28, Orekhovy boulevard, Moscow, 115682

Alexey G. Nikitin

Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia

Author for correspondence.
Email: avialn@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9762-3383
SPIN-code: 3367-0680

Cand. Sci. (Biol.)

Russian Federation, 28, Orekhovy boulevard, Moscow, 115682

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Copyright (c) 2021 Brovkina O.I., Nikitin A.G.

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