Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
[Clinical Analysis of 107 NSCLC Patients Harboring KRAS Mutation]
Quan Zhang1, Jinghui Wang1, Xi Li1
1Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing 101149, China.
Background:
Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutation is one of the major driver genes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KRAS is a resistant predictor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), which raises controversy because of its role in chemotherapy sensitivity and prognosis. The aim of this study is to accumulate clinical experience in treating NSCLC patients harboring KRAS mutation.
Methods:
A total of 107 NSCLC patients harboring KRAS mutation were analyzed retrospectively. The efficacy was analyzed in terms of first-line chemotherapy or EGFR-TKIs therapy.
Results:
The objective response rate (ORR) to first-line chemotherapy of 52 patients with advanced disease harboring KRAS mutation was 9.6%. The disease control rate (DCR) was 53.8%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3 months. The ORR to EGFR-TKIs therapy in 21 patients harboring KRAS mutation and EGFR/KRAS co-mutation was 9.5%; the DCR was 23.8%, and the median PFS was 1 month. The ORR and DCR to EGFR-TKIs therapy of patients with EGFR/KRAS co-mutation were significantly higher than those of patients with KRAS mutation (50% vs 0, P=0.029; 75% vs 11.8%, P=0.043); the median PFS was also significantly longer (3 months vs 1 month, P=0.004).
Conclusions:
The efficacy to first-line chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs therapy in NSCLC patients harboring KRAS mutation was poor; thus, new drugs should be developed. Furthermore, the existence of EGFR/KRAS co-mutation was confirmed. Hence, EGFR-TKIs therapy should be administered to patients with EGFR/KRAS co-mutation.
Insights
Treatment efficacy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRAS mutations is poor for chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs. However, EGFR/KRAS co-mutation patients benefit from EGFR-TKIs therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutations are key drivers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- KRAS mutations present a challenge for epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) efficacy, with ongoing debate regarding their impact on chemotherapy sensitivity and patient prognosis.
- This study aims to consolidate clinical insights into managing NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of first-line chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations.
- To investigate the impact of EGFR/KRAS co-mutations on treatment outcomes.
- To inform future therapeutic strategies for NSCLC patients with KRAS alterations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 107 NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations.
- Assessment of treatment efficacy based on first-line chemotherapy or EGFR-TKIs.
- Comparison of outcomes between patients with KRAS mutations and those with EGFR/KRAS co-mutations.
Main Results:
- First-line chemotherapy showed a low objective response rate (ORR) of 9.6% and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 3 months in advanced NSCLC with KRAS mutations.
- EGFR-TKIs therapy yielded a low ORR of 9.5% and a median PFS of 1 month in patients with KRAS mutations and EGFR/KRAS co-mutation.
- Patients with EGFR/KRAS co-mutation demonstrated significantly higher ORR (50% vs 0%) and DCR (75% vs 11.8%), with longer median PFS (3 months vs 1 month) when treated with EGFR-TKIs compared to those with KRAS mutation alone.
Conclusions:
- Current first-line chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs show limited efficacy in NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic agents.
- The study confirms the presence of EGFR/KRAS co-mutations.
- EGFR-TKIs therapy is recommended for NSCLC patients identified with EGFR/KRAS co-mutation due to improved outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
02:38The Ras Gene
Ras is a...
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis