Why Molecular Testing Matters
- For patients with metastatic colon cancer, next-generation sequencing has become an essential tool in determining personalized treatment approaches.
- This molecular testing examines genes to identify specific mutations present in each patient’s tumor — and can help doctors identify which treatment approaches may be the most effective.
- One of the most common mutations found in metastatic colon cancer are mutations in the protein KRAS.
- Patients who have the more specific KRAS G12C mutation now have access to two new FDA-approved targeted drugs — Lumakras and Vectibix.
One of the most common mutations found in metastatic colon cancer are mutations in the protein KRAS. While only about 2-3% of patients have the more specific KRAS G12C mutation, those who do now have access to two new FDA-approved targeted drugs — Lumakras and Vectibix.
Read More Molecular testing can help doctors identify specific characteristics of your disease and predict which treatments, or targeted therapies, will be the most effective. “Our hope is that within the next few years, and we’ll have targets and targeted therapies for a very large percentage of patients with colon cancer so that we can tailor their therapy in addition to chemotherapy based on the mutations that are present in their tumor,” Dr. Paul Oberstein, a medical oncologist from NYU Langone Health, tells SurvivorNet. Lumakras and Vectibix are both oral medications that can effectively slow or even stop tumor growth for a period of time, though tumors may eventually develop resistance.
Molecular Testing for Colon Cancer
Dr. Oberstein remains optimistic about the future of colon cancer treatment, looking forward to even more FDA approvals that can make cancer treatment more personalized.
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