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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2014; 20(29): 9732-9743
Published online Aug 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9732
Beyond KRAS: Predictive factors of the efficacy of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Alfonso De Stefano, Chiara Carlomagno
Alfonso De Stefano, Chiara Carlomagno, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: Both authors contributed to this paper equally.
Correspondence to: Alfonso De Stefano, MD, PhD, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. alfonso.destefano@unina.it
Telephone: +39-817-463660 Fax: +39-812-203147
Received: October 27, 2013
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: August 7, 2014
Processing time: 283 Days and 8.1 Hours
Abstract

Systematic analysis of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway revealed that biomarkers could be used to predict the response to and outcome of anti-EGFR therapies in patients affected by metastatic colorectal cancer. We have conducted a review on the most recent findings and advances on this topic. To this aim, we searched the PubMed database for articles devoted to predictive and prognostic biomarkers for patients administered cetuximab- and panitumumab-based therapies. Here we review the state of the art and the controversies about the molecular factors known to be predictors of the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy, namely, KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, PI3KCA and PTEN, and we discuss their prognostic value in colorectal cancer patients.

Keywords: KRAS; Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor; Metastatic colorectal cancer; Biomarkers

Core tip: This is a review underlining the importance of biomarkers in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. All most recent findings are described to offer a contribution to define a correct approach to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor based treatment.