Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
EGFR is a major therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Currently, extended RAS/RAF testing identifies only nonresponders to EGFR inhibitors (EGFRi). We aimed to develop a mutation signature that further refines drug-sensitive subpopulations to improve EGFRi outcomes.Methods
A prespecified, 203-gene expression signature score measuring cetuximab sensitivity (CTX-S) was validated with two independent clinical trial datasets of cetuximab-treated patients with colorectal cancer (n = 44 and n = 80) as well as an in vitro dataset of 147 cell lines. The CTX-S score was then used to decipher mutated genes that predict EGFRi sensitivity. The predictive value of the identified mutation signature was further validated by additional independent datasets.Results
Here, we report the discovery of a 2-gene (APC+TP53) mutation signature that was useful in identifying EGFRi-sensitive colorectal cancer subpopulations. Mutant APC+TP53 tumors were more predominant in left- versus right-sided colorectal cancers (52% vs. 21%, P = 0.0004), in microsatellite stable (MSS) versus microsatellite instable (MSI) cases (47% vs. 2%, P < 0.0001), and in the consensus molecular subtype 2 versus others (75% vs. 37%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, mutant APC+TP53 tumors had favorable outcomes in two cetuximab-treated patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) datasets (P = 0.0277, n = 52; P = 0.0008, n = 98).Conclusions
Our findings suggest that the APC and TP53 combination mutation may account for the laterality of EGFRi sensitivity and provide a rationale for refining treated populations. The results also suggest addition of APC+TP53 sequencing to extended RAS/RAF testing that may directly increase the response rates of EGFRi therapy in selected patients.Impact
These findings, if further validated through clinical trials, could also expand the utility of EGFRi therapies that are currently underutilized.
SUBMITTER: Yang M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7845290 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology 20190423 7
<h4>Background</h4>EGFR is a major therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Currently, extended <i>RAS/RAF</i> testing identifies only nonresponders to EGFR inhibitors (EGFRi). We aimed to develop a mutation signature that further refines drug-sensitive subpopulations to improve EGFRi outcomes.<h4>Methods</h4>A prespecified, 203-gene expression signature score measuring cetuximab sensitivity (CTX-S) was validated with two independent clinical trial datasets of cetuximab-treated patients with co ...[more]