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Updated: May 17, 2026
06:01
A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: July 6, 2017
KRAS mutations are associated with specific morphologic features in colon cancer
Armagan Gunal1, Pei Hui, Selim Kilic
1Department of Pathology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|October 24, 2012
Summary
Specific colon cancer features, such as usual adenocarcinoma morphology and T3-T4 status, are linked to KRAS mutations. These findings may help identify patients likely to have KRAS mutations, guiding further testing.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- KRAS gene mutations are early events in colorectal carcinoma development.
- KRAS mutations predict resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy in advanced colorectal cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate specific histologic features of colon cancer with the presence of KRAS mutations.
- To investigate potential morphologic predictors of KRAS mutation status in colon cancer.
Main Methods:
- KRAS mutation status was determined in 145 colon cancer resections.
- Histologic features and demographic data were correlated with KRAS mutation status using statistical analyses, including Pearson chi-squared and multivariate analysis.
Main Results:
- KRAS mutations were found in 37.9% of cases.
- Significant associations were observed between KRAS mutations and usual adenocarcinoma morphology, peritumoral lymphocytic response, advanced T-stage (T3-T4), right-sided tumor location, absence of lymphovascular invasion, and presence of metastases at resection.
Conclusions:
- Certain colon cancer morphologic features suggest a higher likelihood of KRAS mutations.
- These features partially overlap with those associated with DNA mismatch repair gene mutations.
- The findings may inform a targeted approach for KRAS testing in colon cancer.
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