KRAS mutation testing in clinical practice.

Activating mutation ofKRASplays a significant role in the pathogenesis of common human malignancies and molecular testing ofKRASmutation has emerged as an essential biomarker in the current practice of clinical oncology. The presence ofKRASmutation is generally associated with clinical aggressiveness of the cancer and reduced survival of the patient. Therapeutically,KRASmutation testing has maximum utility in stratifying metastatic colorectal carcinoma and lung cancer patients for treatment with targeted therapy. Diagnostically,KRASmutation testing is useful in the workup of pancreaticobiliary and thyroid cancers, particularly using cytological specimens. In the era of precision medicine, the role ofKRASmutation testing is poised to expand, likely in a setting of combinatorial therapeutic strategy and requiring additional mutation testing of its upstream and/or downstream effectors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]