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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors
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Published on: September 20, 2016

KRAS mutations in non-small cell lung cancer

Gregory J Riely1, Jenifer Marks, William Pao

  • 1Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.

Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society
|April 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRAS mutations presents unique challenges, as these tumors do not respond to standard therapies like EGFR inhibitors or chemotherapy. New targeted treatments are urgently needed for KRAS-mutant NSCLC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is often driven by specific oncogenic mutations.
  • Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations predict response to targeted inhibitors.
  • KRAS mutations, identified over 20 years ago, have a less understood clinical impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the discovery and clinical significance of RAS mutations in NSCLC.
  • To explore associations between KRAS mutations, clinical factors, and patient outcomes.
  • To provide an overview of emerging therapeutic strategies for KRAS-mutant NSCLC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on KRAS mutations in NSCLC.
  • Analysis of clinical data correlating KRAS status with treatment response.
  • Summary of current research on targeting KRAS-mutant lung cancers.

Main Results:

  • Patients with KRAS-mutant NSCLC show poor response to adjuvant chemotherapy.
  • KRAS-mutant NSCLC tumors are resistant to EGFR inhibitors.
  • There is a significant unmet need for therapies specifically targeting KRAS-mutant NSCLC.

Conclusions:

  • KRAS mutation status is a critical determinant of treatment outcome in NSCLC.
  • Targeting KRAS-mutant NSCLC requires novel therapeutic approaches.
  • Further research is essential to develop effective treatments for this patient subgroup.

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