KRAS mutational status and its clinical implications in Saudi colorectal cancer patients

Aim/Background

This study investigates the frequency, impact of KRAS mutation and the association between clinicopathological features and KRAS status in CRC Saudi patients.

Methods

We retrospectively studied tumor samples of 221 Saudi CRC patients for KRAS status, clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome.

Results

KRAS mutations were identified in 97/221 (45%) tumors. Gender, smoking history, stage at diagnosis, differentiation and lymphatic and vascular invasion were tested as potential risk predictors for KRAS status. Only gender was found to be a potential risk factor. Female compared to male gender posed a higher significant chance of mutant status (59%, P = 0.027). KRAS status did not significantly impact on clinical outcome and overall survival (OS) (median OS was not reached in both groups (P = 0.87).

Conclusions

This retrospective study highlights the incidence of KRAS mutations among Saudi population with CRC (45%). It is more frequently seen in female than male. This higher incidence could be attributed to ethnic differences and warrant further investigation to clarify the effect of other environmental and genetic factors. However in these patients, KRAS mutation status did not significantly impact clinical outcome or overall survival.

Clinical trial identification

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.