KRAS Testing for Colorectal Cancer Patients: Our Laboratory Experience in The Libyan National Cancer Institute

Abstract

Colorectal cancers frequently have activating point mutations in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS). Nowadays, mutation testing for KRAS gene is recommended before starting an-ti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapy. KRAS mutations that are constitutively ac-tivated are displaying clear linkages to resistance to treatment with anti–EGFR). This test is regularly demanded for patients with colorectal malignancies in order to supply information that can be used for allocating the best anticancer chemotherapy to each individual case. Also, anti-EGFR therapies are expensive and can harm people who don't have activating mutations. In clinical practice, this step of KRAS testing has a crucial consideration because the test's results will influence on decision taking that have implications on treatment outcomes. Variety of techniques are in use to perform KRAS mutation testing worldwide. The aim of this article is to discuss the KRAS mutation analysis approach which is in use at department of histopathology/ national cancer institute (NCI) of Misrata.