KRAS
- Description
- KRAS mutations, which are found in 30% to 45% of all colorectal tumors, are excellent indicators of which patients will benefit from the addition of cetuximab, a drug which targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). If KRAS, a gene which is located upstream of EGFR, is mutated then patients are unlikely to respond to this drug as they will have no functional EGFR. Testing for this particular mutation defines the predicted response to this drug. A recent study showed that combination therapy which included cetuximab reduced the risk for metastatic colorectal cancer growth or spread by 15%. KRAS mutation analysis is now therefore a standard of care necessary for all newly diagnosed CRCs.
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Tissue Sciences : St Thomas' Hospital
- Laboratory
- Histology/ Histopathology
- Sample type and volume required
- Paraffin processed blocks or sections of tumour. Tissue that has been decalcified in acid is not suitable.
- Storage and transport
- First class post within 4 days (temperature not to exceed 30°C during transport)
- Turnaround time
- 2 - 3 Weeks
- Contacts
Histopathology Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub
Phone: 020 4614 7519/ 7522
Friars Bridge Court,
41-43 Blackfriars Road,
London, SE1 8NZHistology Laboratory at Princess Royal University Hospital
Phone: 01689 864314
Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
Kent
BR6 8NDCellular Pathology/Histopathology at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 3045
kch-tr.histopathologyoffice@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – 2nd Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RSCellular Pathology at St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone – Histology: 0207 188 7188 extension 54611
Phone – Cytology: 0207 188 2915
Phone – Oral Pathology: 0207 188 4367
Histopathology & Cytopathology Laboratories
Cellular Pathology
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 2nd Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHCellular Pathology at Guy’s Hospital
Head and Neck/Oral Pathology Laboratory
4th Floor, Tower Wing
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT