K-ras mutational status predicts poor prognosis in unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the prognostic value of K-ras mutations in plasma DNA of unresectable pancreatic cancer patients.

METHODS:

Blood samples were collected from 91 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer prior to treatment. K-ras gene was amplified from the circulating plasma DNA. Mutations were detected by direct sequencing. The relationship between the types of K-ras gene and prognosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer was evaluated.

RESULTS:

K-Ras codon 12 mutations were found in 30 of 91(33%) plasma DNA samples, 17mutations were c.35G>A (p.G12D), 11 were c.35G>T (p.G12V) and only 2 were c.34G>C (p.G12R)). K-ras codon 12 mutations could significantly reflect the clinical parameters, including TNM tumor staging (P=0.033) and liver metastasis (P=0.014). The median survival time of patients with K-ras mutations was shorter than that of patients with wild-type K-ras gene (3.9 months vs. 10.2 months, P<0.001). K-ras codon 12 mutation from plasma DNA was an independent negative prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio, 7.39; 95% confidence interval, 3.69-14.89).

CONCLUSION:

K-ras mutation in plasma DNA is a predictive biomarker for a poor prognosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer patients.

• Authors: H Chen, H Tu, Z Q Meng, Z Chen, P Wang, L M Liu
• Journal: European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology (Eur J Surg Oncol) Vol. 36 Issue 7 Pg. 657-62 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1532-2157 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20542658 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Codon
• DNA, Neoplasm

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Asian People (genetics)
• China
• Codon
• DNA, Neoplasm (genetics)
• Female
• Genes, ras
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Liver Neoplasms (secondary)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Mutation
• Neoplasm Staging
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (genetics, pathology, therapy)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Risk Assessment
• Risk Factors
• Treatment Outcome