Precision medicine for KRAS wild-type pancreatic adenocarcinomas

Imen Ben-Ammar1, Adrien Rousseau2, Rémy Nicolle3

  • 1Gustave Roussy, Département de Médecine, 94800 Villejuif, France; Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine, 75005 Paris, France.

European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|December 22, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with KRAS wild-type (KRASWT) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have better outcomes and more actionable mutations. Molecularly-matched treatments improve survival in KRASWT PDAC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • KRAS mutation is the most frequent molecular alteration in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
  • Approximately 10% of PDAC patients present with KRAS wild-type (KRASWT) tumors.
  • Understanding the distinct characteristics of KRASWT PDAC is crucial for targeted therapy development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical and molecular differences between KRAS wild-type and KRAS-mutated PDAC.
  • To evaluate the impact of KRAS status on patient outcomes and treatment response.
  • To identify actionable molecular alterations in KRASWT PDAC for personalized treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of clinical and molecular data from PDAC patients.
  • Analysis of KRAS status (mutation or wild-type) using tissue or liquid biopsy.
  • Comparison of demographic, clinical, and molecular features between KRASWT and KRAS-mutated groups.

Main Results:

  • KRASWT PDAC patients were more frequently diagnosed at a non-metastatic stage (63% vs 41%).
  • Liver metastasis was less common in KRASWT patients (39%).
  • KRASWT patients exhibited significantly longer median overall survival (50.8 months vs 21.1 months) and improved progression-free survival.
  • KRASWT tumors harbored more actionable molecular alterations (36% vs 16%), including FGFR2, BRAF(V600E), and NRTK.
  • 12 KRASWT patients receiving molecularly-matched treatment showed clinical benefit and improved outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • KRASWT PDAC is characterized by distinct disease features and superior overall survival.
  • The higher prevalence of actionable molecular alterations in KRASWT PDAC offers opportunities for targeted therapies.
  • Molecularly-matched treatments in KRASWT PDAC patients lead to improved survival rates.