Molecular-genetic analysis of mutation status of RAS-signaling cascade genes in patients with colorectal cancer

Molecular-genetic analysis of mutation status of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF genes has an important prognostic and predictive value in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Data on mutation frequencies in RAS- signaling cascade genes in 355 patients with colorectal cancer are presented in this study. The research group included patients with colorectal cancer (165 women and 190 men) aged from 22 to 86 years. The mutation frequency in investigated genes was 48.2%. The KRAS gene mutations were mainly presented by point mutations in the 12-13 codons of the second exon with the overall KRAS mutation frequency 40.6%. BRAF mutations were more rare (6.2% cases) and were presented by the only variant V600E in the 15th exon. Five patients (1.4%) had Q61K mutation in NRAS gene. The results of the study demonstrate an importance of molecular genetic analysis of colorectal tumors. This analysis can help to individualize therapy and to reduce inefficient costs on target and traditional chemotherapy.