Comments on: KRAS mutations: effectiveness and patient symptoms with Vectibix treatment

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:33:40 +0000

KRAS mutation testing results should be quite clear. Tumor tissue is tested and the answer is either “yes”, KRAS is mutated or “no” it is normal or wild-type.

A patient can — and probably should — ask for a copy of the test report.

Unfortunately, having normal KRAS results does not guarantee response to either Vectibix (panitumumab) or Erbitux (cetuximab). While people with mutations in KRAS don’t benefit from these EGFR blocking drugs, only some patients with normal KRAS will benefit.

It is entirely possible that your friend was tested, was normal, and still had cancer get worse.

By: louisa

louisa — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 05:49:13 +0000

A friend got treated with panitimumab and the originally colon cancer that was only present in the liver spread like wild fire during that treatment. Before the final scan I questioned if a test like the Kras-gene mutation test really had been performed before delivering the Panitimumab treatment. What questions does one need to ask a doctor to be sure Kras gene mutation has been tested. Is the spread of cancer a proof that the test has not been taken?

By: Kendra Falvey

Kendra Falvey — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:30:20 +0000

I had the KRAS test done last Dec. 5th and it found my tumor has the KRAS mutation. Unfortunately my insurance does not want to cover the cost of this test and it was $4500. BCBS of FL. states it is not FDA approved so they do not cover the cost. The testing company has appealed and it is still ongoing, but my time to file an appeal is running out. Is there anything you can suggest that will help me in my appeal to get them to cover this cost? Thank you.

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:26:58 +0000

Vectibix is approved by the FDA to treat colorectal cancer that has spread beyond the colon and after all other standard treatments have failed.

It works by blocking a receptor on the surface of the cancer cell (epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR) making it impossible for the cell to receive signals to divide and the cancer to grow.

In some patients, cancer cells will die and the tumor will get smaller. In others, the tumor will not grow, but remain stable.

For some — but not all — patients, Vectibix increases time until the cancer gets worse and also increases survival time. It doesn’t remove all cancer, but it does increase survival time.

It also appears to improve quality of life.

It is critical to test the tumor for KRAS mutations since patients whose tumors have mutated KRAS will not benefit from taking Vectibix. They had no better survival or quality of life than patients who did not take the medicine.

If you have more questions, please call us at the C3 Answer Line (1-877-4CRC-111).

Kate Murphy, Director of Research Communication at C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition.

By: bob payne

bob payne — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:43:42 +0000

my father just started this treatment because the cancer has gone to his liver. how does vectibix help?
thenks!