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Schulz B, Leitner E, Schreiber T, Lindner T, Schwarz R, Aboutara N, Ma Y, Escobar HM, Palme R, Hinz B, Vollmar B, Zechner D. Sex Matters-Insights from Testing Drug Efficacy in an Animal Model of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1901. [PMID: 38791980 PMCID: PMC11120498 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Preclinical studies rarely test the efficacy of therapies in both sexes. The field of oncology is no exception in this regard. In a model of syngeneic, orthotopic, metastasized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma we evaluated the impact of sex on pathological features of this disease as well as on the efficacy and possible adverse side effects of a novel, small molecule-based therapy inhibiting KRAS:SOS1, MEK1/2 and PI3K signaling in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Male mice had less tumor infiltration of CD8-positive cells, developed bigger tumors, had more lung metastasis and a lower probability of survival compared to female mice. These more severe pathological features in male animals were accompanied by higher distress at the end of the experiment. The evaluated inhibitors BI-3406, trametinib and BKM120 showed synergistic effects in vitro. This combinatorial therapy reduced tumor weight more efficiently in male animals, although the drug concentrations were similar in the tumors of both sexes. These results underline the importance of sex-specific preclinical research and at the same time provide a solid basis for future studies with the tested compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Schulz
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.)
| | - Emily Leitner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.)
| | - Tim Schreiber
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.)
| | - Tobias Lindner
- Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Rico Schwarz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Nadine Aboutara
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Yixuan Ma
- Department of Medicine Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Hugo Murua Escobar
- Department of Medicine Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.)
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.)
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Nusrat F, Khanna A, Jain A, Jiang W, Lavu H, Yeo CJ, Bowne W, Nevler A. The Clinical Implications of KRAS Mutations and Variant Allele Frequencies in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2103. [PMID: 38610868 PMCID: PMC11012482 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The KRAS proto-oncogene is a major driver of pancreatic tumorigenesis and is nearly ubiquitously mutated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). KRAS point mutations are detected in over 90% of PDAC cases, and these mutations have been shown to be associated with worse therapy response and overall survival. Pathogenic KRAS mutations are mostly limited to codons 12, 13 and 61, with G12D, G12V, G12R, Q61H, and G13D accounting for approximately 95% of the mutant cases. Emerging data have shown the importance of specific mutant subtypes, as well as KRAS variant allele frequency on clinical prognosis. Furthermore, novel technologies and therapies are being developed to target specific mutant subtypes, with encouraging early results. In this paper, we aim to review the recent studies regarding the relative impact of specific mutant KRAS subtypes on oncologic outcomes, the application of variant allele frequency in next generation sequencing analyses, and the ongoing research into therapies targeting specific mutant KRAS subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faria Nusrat
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Akshay Khanna
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Aditi Jain
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Harish Lavu
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Charles J Yeo
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Wilbur Bowne
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Avinoam Nevler
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Nasu H, Nishio S, Park J, Tasaki K, Terada A, Tsuda N, Kawano K, Kojiro-Sanada S, Akiba J, Ushijima K. Comprehensive Molecular Profiling and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Gastric-Type Mucinous Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix in Japanese Women. Kurume Med J 2024:MS6934018. [PMID: 38369337 DOI: 10.2739/kurumemedj.ms6934018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Gastric-type mucinous carcinoma (GAS) of the uterine cervix is the most common adenocarcinoma that develops independently of human papillomavirus infection; it is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poorer prognosis than usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma. Few studies have examined the molecular profile of GAS, but genetic alterations in TP53 and STK11 have been repeatedly reported. We analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and molecular profile of GAS. Fresh-frozen tissue specimens and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from 13 patients with GAS treated between January 2000 and December 2020 were analyzed. We performed next-generation sequencing on eight fresh-frozen GAS specimens using the Cancer Hotspot Panel v2 (cases 1-8) and the FoundationOne companion diagnostic (F1CDx) assay on six FFPE samples (cases 8-13). Seventy-four genomic alterations were identified in 42 genes. In order of frequency, TP53, ATRX, CDKN2A, KRAS, APC, and STK11 were altered in at least three cases. Targetable genomic alterations were identified in all six patients' specimens analyzed using the F1CDx assay. GAS harbors various genomic alterations associated with sustained activation of signaling pathways or cell cycle regulation in addition to abnormalities in TP53, and precision medicine based on molecular profiling will be necessary to overcome GAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Nasu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Shin Nishio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Jongmyung Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Kazuto Tasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Atsumu Terada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Naotake Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Jun Akiba
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kurume University Hospital
| | - Kimio Ushijima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kurume University School of Medicine
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Astbury S, Baskar A, Grove JI, Kaye P, Aravinthan AD, James MW, Clarke C, Aithal GP, Venkatachalapathy SV. Next-generation sequencing of pancreatic cyst wall specimens obtained using micro-forceps for improving diagnostic accuracy. Endosc Int Open 2023; 11:E983-E991. [PMID: 37941539 PMCID: PMC10629470 DOI: 10.1055/a-2163-8805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and study aims Pancreatic cysts are common incidental findings, with an estimated prevalence of 13% to 15% in imaging done for other reasons. Diagnosis often relies on collection of cyst fluid, but tissue sampling using micro-forceps may allow for a more reliable diagnosis and higher yield of DNA for next-generation sequencing (NGS). The primary aim was to assess the performance of NGS in identifying mucinous cyst. The secondary aims were to assess DNA yield between the cyst fluid and cyst wall tissue, complication rate and performance of conventional investigations. Patients and methods Twenty-four patients referred for endoscopic ultrasound were recruited. Biopsies were taken using micro-forceps and the AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot panel was used for NGS, a polymerase chain reaction assay targeting several hotspots within 50 genes, including GNAS , KRAS and VHL . Results The concentration of DNA extracted from 24 cyst wall samples was significantly higher than in the nine of 24 available matched cyst fluid samples. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of NGS for diagnosing mucinous cyst were 93%, 50% and 84%; for standard of care, they were -66.6%, 50% and 63.1%; and for standard of care with NGS, they were 100%, 50%, and 89.4% respectively. Cyst wall biopsy was able to diagnose 19 of 24 cysts (4 high risk, 7 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, 4 cysts of mucinous origin, and 4 benign). Conclusions NGS data correlate well with histology and may aid in diagnosis and risk stratification of pancreatic cysts. Cyst wall biopsy performs well in diagnosing cysts but was inadequate in five of 24 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Astbury
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Aishwarya Baskar
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jane I. Grove
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Philip Kaye
- Department of Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Aloysious D. Aravinthan
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Martin W. James
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Christopher Clarke
- Department of Radiology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Guruprasad P. Aithal
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Suresh Vasan Venkatachalapathy
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Nie Y, Xu L, Bai Z, Liu Y, Wang S, Zeng Q, Gao X, Xia X, Chang D. Prognostic utility of TME-associated genes in pancreatic cancer. Front Genet 2023; 14:1218774. [PMID: 37727377 PMCID: PMC10505756 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1218774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly disease. The tumor microenvironment (TME) participates in PC oncogenesis. This study focuses on the assessment of the prognostic and treatment utility of TME-associated genes in PC. Methods: After obtaining the differentially expressed TME-related genes, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were performed to identify genes related to prognosis, and a risk model was established to evaluate risk scores, based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set, and it was validated by external data sets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC). Multiomics analyses were adopted to explore the potential mechanisms, discover novel treatment targets, and assess the sensitivities of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Results: Five TME-associated genes, namely, FERMT1, CARD9, IL20RB, MET, and MMP3, were identified and a risk score formula constructed. Next, their mRNA expressions were verified in cancer and normal pancreatic cells. Multiple algorithms confirmed that the risk model displayed a reliable ability of prognosis prediction and was an independent prognostic factor, indicating that high-risk patients had poor outcomes. Immunocyte infiltration, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single-cell analysis all showed a strong relationship between immune mechanism and low-risk samples. The risk score could predict the sensitivity of immunotherapy and some chemotherapy regimens, which included oxaliplatin and irinotecan. Various latent treatment targets (LAG3, TIGIT, and ARID1A) were addressed by mutation landscape based on the risk model. Conclusion: The risk model based on TME-related genes can reflect the prognosis of PC patients and functions as a novel set of biomarkers for PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhua Nie
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Longwen Xu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zilong Bai
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- Geneplus-Beijing, Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Shilong Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingnuo Zeng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- GenePlus- Shenzhen Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Dongmin Chang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Ghabi EM, Shoucair S, Ding D, Javed AA, Thompson ED, Zheng L, Cameron JL, Wolfgang CL, Shubert CR, Lafaro KJ, Burkhart RA, Burns WR, He J. Tailoring Adjuvant Chemotherapy to Biologic Response Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Impacts Overall Survival in Pancreatic Cancer. J Gastrointest Surg 2023; 27:691-700. [PMID: 36280632 PMCID: PMC10079604 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-022-05476-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of postoperative chemotherapy in patients with resected pancreatic cancer who receive neoadjuvant treatment is unknown. Clinicians use changes in CA19-9 and histopathologic scores to assess treatment response. We sought to investigate if CA19-9 normalization in response to NAT can help guide the need for postoperative treatment. METHODS Patients with elevated baseline CA19-9 (CA19-9 > 37U/mL) who received NAT followed by surgery between 2011 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment response was determined by CA19-9 normalization following NAT and histopathologic scoring. The role of postoperative chemotherapy was analyzed in light of CA19-9 normalization and histopathologic response. RESULTS We identified and included 345 patients. Following NAT, CA19-9 normalization was observed in 125 patients (36.2%). CA19-9 normalization was associated with a favorable histopathologic response (41.6% vs 23.2%, p < 0.001) and a lower ypT (p < 0.001) and ypN stage (p = 0.003). Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival in patients in whom CA19-9 did not normalize following NAT (26.8 vs 16.4 months, p = 0.008). In patients who received 5FU-based NAT and in whom CA19-9 did not normalize, receipt of 5FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION CA19-9 normalization in response to NAT was associated with favorable outcomes and can serve as a biomarker for treatment response. In patients where CA19-9 did not normalize, receipt of postoperative chemotherapy was associated with improved OS. These patients also benefited from additional 5FU-based postoperative chemotherapy following 5FU-based NAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie M Ghabi
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sami Shoucair
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Ding Ding
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Ammar A Javed
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Thompson
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John L Cameron
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | | | - Christopher R Shubert
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Kelly J Lafaro
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Richard A Burkhart
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - William R Burns
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Jin He
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 685, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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Yang Y, Zhang H, Huang S, Chu Q. KRAS Mutations in Solid Tumors: Characteristics, Current Therapeutic Strategy, and Potential Treatment Exploration. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020709. [PMID: 36675641 PMCID: PMC9861148 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Kristen rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene is one of the most common mutated oncogenes in solid tumors. Yet, KRAS inhibitors did not follow suit with the development of targeted therapy, for the structure of KRAS has been considered as being implausible to target for decades. Chemotherapy was the initial recommended therapy for KRAS-mutant cancer patients, which was then replaced by or combined with immunotherapy. KRAS G12C inhibitors became the most recent breakthrough in targeted therapy, with Sotorasib being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on its significant efficacy in multiple clinical studies. However, the subtypes of the KRAS mutations are complex, and the development of inhibitors targeting non-G12C subtypes is still at a relatively early stage. In addition, the monotherapy of KRAS inhibitors has accumulated possible resistance, acquiring the exploration of combination therapies or next-generation KRAS inhibitors. Thus, other non-target, conventional therapies have also been considered as being promising. Here in this review, we went through the characteristics of KRAS mutations in cancer patients, and the prognostic effect that it poses on different therapies and advanced therapeutic strategy, as well as cutting-edge research on the mechanisms of drug resistance, tumor development, and the immune microenvironment.
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