Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Advanced Animal Model of Colorectal Metastasis in Liver: Imaging Techniques and Properties of Metastatic Clones
Published on: November 30, 2016
KRAS Status is Associated with Metabolic Parameters in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer According to Primary Tumour
M Tabuso1,2, M Christian3, P K Kimani4
1Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK. Maria.Tabuso@uhcw.nhs.uk.
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by complex interplay between macroenvironmental factors and tumour microenvironment, leading to variable outcomes in CRC patients. To date, there is still a need to identify macroenvironment/microenvironment factors that could define subgroup of patients that would benefit from specific anti-cancer treatment in order to improve patient selection for individualized targeted-based therapy. Aim of this study was to evaluate associations between metabolic parameters and KRAS status in metastatic CRC (mCRC) according to a new tumour site classification. Retrospective data were extracted from a total of 201 patients diagnosed with mCRC between 2012 and 2017 extracted from an established CRC database at our tertiary institute. Clinical-pathological data, including age, gender, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, pre-CRC diagnosis serum lipid levels and KRAS status were recorded. Categorical characteristics were compared using chi-squared test. Continuous characteristics were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Log rank test was used to compare hazards for survival. In all comparisons, a two-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 201 patients, 170 patients with complete serum lipid profile were included in the analysis. In recto-sigmoid cancers there was a statistically significant association between high cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein (chol:HDL) ratio and KRAS mutation (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.1-6.4, p = 0,02). In non recto-sigmoid cancers, high cholesterol was associated with KRAS WT (OR 0.39, CI 0.15-0.97, p = 0.04). In 22 patients with KRAS mutated recto-sigmoid cancer stage IV at diagnosis normal chol:HDL ratio was associated with a trend to better survival (p = 0.06). High chol:HDL ratio was significantly associated with KRAS mutated metastatic recto-sigmoid cancers. A subgroup of mCRC patients with KRAS mutated recto-sigmoid cancer may benefit from optimal lipid lowering treatment.
