Fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan plus cetuximab treatment and RAS mutations in colorectal cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The phase III CRYSTAL study demonstrated that addition of cetuximab to fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response in the first-line treatment of patients with KRAS codon 12/13 (exon 2) wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Outcome was reassessed in subgroups defined by extended RAS mutation testing.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Existing DNA samples from KRAS exon 2 wild-type tumors from CRYSTAL study patients were reanalyzed for other RAS mutations in four additional KRAS codons (exons 3 and 4) and six NRAS codons (exons 2, 3, and 4) using beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics technology. No tissue microdissection was performed. A ≥ 5% mutant allele cutoff was used to call mutations.

RESULTS:

Mutation status was evaluable in 430 (64.6%) of 666 patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type tumors. Other RAS mutations were detected in 63 (14.7%) of 430 patients. In those with RAS wild-type tumors, a significant benefit across all efficacy end points was associated with the addition of cetuximab to FOLFIRI. In patients with other RAS tumor mutations, no difference in efficacy outcomes between treatment groups was seen. The safety profile in RAS subgroups was similar and in line with expectations.

CONCLUSION:

In the first-line treatment of mCRC, patients with RAS wild-type tumors derived a significant benefit from the addition of cetuximab to FOLFIRI; patients with RAS tumor mutations did not. Molecular testing of tumors for all activating RAS mutations is essential before considering anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy, thereby allowing the further tailoring of cetuximab administration to maximize patient benefit.

• Authors: Eric Van Cutsem, Heinz-Josef Lenz, Claus-Henning Köhne, Volker Heinemann, Sabine Tejpar, Ivan Melezínek, Frank Beier, Christopher Stroh, Philippe Rougier, J Han van Krieken, Fortunato Ciardiello
• Journal: Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (J Clin Oncol) Vol. 33 Issue 7 Pg. 692-700 (Mar 01 2015) ISSN: 1527-7755 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25605843 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• KRAS protein, human
• Membrane Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• EGFR protein, human
• ErbB Receptors
• GTP Phosphohydrolases
• NRAS protein, human
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
• ras Proteins
• Cetuximab
• Leucovorin
• Fluorouracil
• Camptothecin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Camptothecin (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Cetuximab
• Colorectal Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Disease-Free Survival
• ErbB Receptors (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• GTP Phosphohydrolases (genetics)
• Genetic Testing
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Leucovorin (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins (genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Molecular Targeted Therapy (methods)
• Mutation
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (genetics)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
• Treatment Outcome
• ras Proteins (genetics)