The importance of KRAS status in managing metastatic colorectal cancer

In the past decade, the standard of care for advanced colorectal cancer has been in a state of flux with the introduction of new agents in the treatment of stage IV disease; however, the 5-year survival rate for advanced disease remains low. Investigators are trying to identify biomarkers that may be predictive and/or prognostic for these agents and thereby improve patient outcomes. This article discusses recent discoveries that have identified the importance of KRAS mutational status in predicting responses to epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting antibodies (cetuximab and panitumumab) in the management of metastatic colon cancer.