Kras Mutation Codon 12

[windwrit]

Hi all. I've been looking in as a guest since I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in 2010. This board has helped me so much over the last few years, so I would like to thank you all.

I have a question today. I've read a lot about there being helpful treatments for Kras mutations...except for 12. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with treatment? After looking at everything I can find, I'm beginning to think there is no hope. My onc isn't giving up on me, so that makes me feel a bit better.

I get my new port in on 11/15 and then meet with the onc again on 11/21.

How worried should I be?

Thanks!

[KWT]

Have you used up all the other available options?

[windwrit]

Hi, kennyt. I haven't been able to locate any other options for a 12 mutation. I know treatments are being worked on, but I can't seem to find any treatment available now.

Is there an option for metastatic colon cancer with a 12 mutation? If not, then why bother with chemo at all? I'm afraid that's exactly what my onc will do...put me on chemo that doesn't have a chance in hell of working.

Sorry, just feeling a little stressed.

[KWT]

I have that mutation as well but am trying not to worry to much about that at this point. My Onc at Stanford says there are clinical trials available if it comes to that. I'm no expert in fact pretty new at this. The drug Erbitux is the one that won't work for us and I've heard with most people it only works for about 6mths anyway as I said don't quote me on that that but if true it seems like a non issue to me.
kenny

[Kathryn in MN]

New testing has determined that the EGFR drugs do not work for any KRAS mutation patients - regardless of codon. Earlier they thought it might help a very small percentage of KRAS mutants with specific mutations. I'm G13D and for a while they thought it could be helpful for me. Now the studies say no.

This really only knocks two drugs out of our possibilities, Erbitux and Vectibix. We still have 5-FU or Xeloda, Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan.

Your oncologist will not and cannot put you on chemo that is known to not work for you. Before using the EGFR drugs, they test the tumor for KRAS mutations - to see if you are wild (normal) or mutated. If mutated, you do not get either of the EGFR drugs. The mutation has NO BEARING on any other therapies.

FYI - Erbitux, Vectibix, Avastin and Zaltrap are not chemotherapy - they are biologics and work a bit differently. The chemotherapy options we have are Xeloda or 5-FU, Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan.

[windwrit]

Thanks so much, kennyt and Kathryn. You've given me great info that I couldn't find on my own. There was no info (that I could find) on what could be used. Now I won't panic at the onc!

I'm usually a calm, practical person, but knowing it has matastasized has really thrown me for a loop. After 3 years, I was so hopeful it was all over.

I hope your treatments go well, and I wish you the best. Thanks for taking the time to help this club newbie!

Billie

[KWT]

good luck to you, Myself I'm getting APR surgery wed. so I'll be out a while.

[CRguy]

......I'm getting APR surgery wed. so I'll be out a while.

We'll be swinging chickens and sending POSI+++++vibes your way.
Check back in when you are ready

Cheers and Harmony my friend.
CRguy

[KWT]

thanks so much CRguy.

[sdp]

I would ask my oncologist to get a PIK3CA test also done.

This may tell u about effectiveness of aspirin as well as which chemo may work , I believe there are some drugs that may be effective if u have both mutations.

U may want to explore this a bit further

[windwrit]

Kennyt, I hope your surgery went well and that you recover very quickly.

Billie

[windwrit]

Sdp, I am making a note to ask the onc about the test you are suggesting and also about aspirin. Thanks so much.