KRAS mutations and primary resistance of lung adenocarcinomas to gefitinib or erlotinib

PLoS Med. 2005 Jan;2(1):e17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0020017. Epub 2005 Jan 25.

Abstract

Background: Somatic mutations in the gene for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are found in adenocarcinomas of the lung and are associated with sensitivity to the kinase inhibitors gefitinib (Iressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva). Lung adenocarcinomas also harbor activating mutations in the downstream GTPase, KRAS, and mutations in EGFR and KRAS appear to be mutually exclusive.

Methods and findings: We sought to determine whether mutations in KRAS could be used to further enhance prediction of response to gefitinib or erlotinib. We screened 60 lung adenocarcinomas defined as sensitive or refractory to gefitinib or erlotinib for mutations in EGFR and KRAS. We show that mutations in KRAS are associated with a lack of sensitivity to either drug.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that treatment decisions regarding use of these kinase inhibitors might be improved by determining the mutational status of both EGFR and KRAS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Decision Making
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Gefitinib
  • Genes, ras*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Quinazolines
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Gefitinib