N-RAS mutations
RAS genes (H-RAS, K-RAS and N-RAS) code similar G proteins involved in growth and differentiation signals from the receptors tyrosine kinase to the core cells. The N-RAS gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 1 (1p22-p32) and at a molecular level, there have been cases of colorectal cancer associated with mutations in codons 12, 13, 58-59 and 61, 117 and 146 respectively of this gene.
New therapeutic agents acting on the receptor of epidermal growth factor (EGFR), such as cetuximab and panitumumab, have proven effective against colorectal cancer. New evidence suggests that the presence of N-RAS mutations (N-RAS mutated) is associated with a poor response to this type of treatment. Patients with colorectal cancer who have tumors that carry the wild type N-RAS gene (unmutated) may benefit from EGFR antagonists based therapies.
