Specimen:

Formalin-fixed Tissue Block

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Block with Corresponding H&E slide 
(preferred specimen type): Tissues should be well-fixed in formalin. If 
an alternative fixative is used, it should be noted on the requisition.

Alternative Specimens:  Unstained Slides or Fresh Snap Frozen Biopsy.
Unstained Slides:
  *Send all slides within 5-7 days of cutting.
  *Minimum of 4 slides (plus 1 H&E) or 5 slides (w/o H&E).
  *Pre-cut slides from paraffin block in 7 micron sections.
  *Air dry. Do not oven dry.
  *Store specimen at room temperature (20-23.5 degrees C).

Analytic Time:

2 weeks

Reference Range:

See report.

Interpretive Data:

KRAS Mutation Analysis provides additional guidance in therapeutic 
treatment decisions for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and 
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Additional tumor types can include:  Ovarian, Bile Duct, Pancreas, 
Esophageal, Appendix, Breast, Endometrial, Gastric, Thyroid.

Mutations in the KRAS gene, a known downstream signaling molecule in 
the EGFR signaling pathway, have been described in approximately 30-50% 
of colorectal carcinomas and approximately 15-30% of lung 
adenocarcinomas.

Recent studies have found mutations in the KRAS gene to be associated 
with a poor prognosis. Studies have also found KRAS mutations more 
frequent in patients who show limited clinical response to targeted 
anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapies. As a 
result, determining the KRAS mutational status of a tumor may guide 
therapeutic decision making for patients with CRC and NSCLC.

The molecular diagnostic procedure incorporates allele-specific primer 
extensions for detecting mutations in codons 12 and 13 of the KRAS 
gene.

Comments:

Contact Commercial Mailouts at 356-8593 to obtain testing initiation, 
or fax a miscellaneous A-1a to our area at 353-6130 with the S# 
(surgical number). Mailouts will work in conjunction with Anatomic 
Pathology to have slides cut for testing sent to the reference 
laboratory.

CPT Code:

83890, 83892(x2), 83898, 83904(x2), 83907, 83909(x2), 83912