Medicine that is tailored to each patient’s genetic makeup is the future of cancer care. In some cases, it is already making a big difference in the ways patients are treated. Learn about these cutting edge treatments and about emerging findings that will be important for future diagnoses and treatments of colorectal cancer. Discussion led by Carolyn Grande, CRNP, AOCNP.

Concerned about whether you should have your tumor tested for a KRAS mutation?

You should discuss KRAS testing and your treatment options with your doctor

• If you are currently being treated with Erbitux® (cetuximab) or Vectibix™ (panitumumab) for colorectal cancer.
• Before beginning Erbitux or Vectibix treatment, either as single medicines or in combination with chemotherapy.
• When you are first diagnosed with advanced colon or rectal cancer and are planning a treatment strategy.

Recent research has shown that people with a certain change or mutation in the KRAS gene in their tumor do not benefit from either Erbitux or Vectibix.  This is true whether the medicine is used alone (monotherapy) or added to chemotherapy.

You can find more information about KRAS mutations, what research is saying about KRAS, decision-making about KRAS testing, and where you can be tested in the Patient Information pages of the C3 Fightcolorectalcancer.org web site. Read the rest of this entry »