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Anti-EGFR Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in the Era of Extended RAS Gene Mutational Analysis

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In the past 2 decades, advances in cancer therapeutics allowed for a remarkable improvement in terms of survival for patients with metastatic CRC. The advent of targeted therapy, coupled with more efficient chemotherapy regimens, was the pillar achievement that contributed to the success of CRC therapy. Cetuximab and panitumumab, monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, are the focus of this review since their mechanism of action and efficiency are closely related to the mutational status of a predictive biomarker, the Kristen rat Sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS). More recently, another biomarker, the neuroblastoma rat sarcoma viral oncogene (NRAS), was found to be as valuable for the refinement of this targeted therapy. The arguments for the use of extended analysis of the RAS gene are thoroughly reviewed because they directly affect the choice of targeted agents and potentially the choice of backbone chemotherapy.

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Author contributions

Elie Kassouf: data collection, writing and editing of the manuscript, revisions and corrections. Samer Tabchi: writing and editing of the manuscript; editing of figures and tables. Mustapha Tehfe: initial planning, writing, revisions and subsequent corrections.

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  1. Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Hematology Oncology, Hôpital Notre Dame, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, Montréal, QC, H2L 4M1, Canada

    Elie Kassouf, Samer Tabchi & Mustapha Tehfe

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  1. Elie Kassouf
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  2. Samer Tabchi
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  3. Mustapha Tehfe
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Correspondence to Mustapha Tehfe.

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Elie Kassouf, Samer Tabchi and Mustapha Tehfe have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this manuscript.

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Elie Kassouf has the following disclosures: speaker honoraria for Lilly, Sanofi and Bristol-Myers-Squib. Samer Tabchi declares no conflict of interest. Mustapha Tehfe has the following disclosures: speaker honoraria for Lilly, Celegen and Novartis; advisory board for Lilly, Celegen, Amgen, AstraZeneca and Novartis.

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Kassouf, E., Tabchi, S. & Tehfe, M. Anti-EGFR Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in the Era of Extended RAS Gene Mutational Analysis. BioDrugs 30, 95–104 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40259-016-0166-5

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