DISTRIBUTION OF KRAS/BRAF GENE MUTATIONS IN METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER IN KAZAKHSTAN PATIENTS
Main Article Content
Authors
A.D. Gusmaulemova
LLP « National Center for Biotechnology», Korgalzhyn highway 13/5, Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
B.A. Kurentay
LLP « National Center for Biotechnology», Korgalzhyn highway 13/5, Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
D.S. Bayanbek
LLP « National Center for Biotechnology», Korgalzhyn highway 13/5, Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
D.N. Auganova
LLP « National Center for Biotechnology», Korgalzhyn highway 13/5, Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
P.V. Tarlykov
LLP « National Center for Biotechnology», Korgalzhyn highway 13/5, Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
M.A. Mamlin
LLP "National Scientific Oncology Center", Kerey-Zhanibek Khandar Street 3, Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by significant molecular heterogeneity, with mutations in the KRAS and BRAF genes playing a key role in carcinogenesis and determining the effectiveness of anti-EGFR therapy. Data on the frequency of these mutations remain limited in the Kazakhstani population.
The aim of our study was to determine the frequency and spectrum of KRAS and BRAF mutations in primary tumors and metastatic lesions in patients with metastatic CRC using ddPCR and targeted sequencing.
The study included FFPE tumor tissue and liver metastasis samples from 30 patients. Screening for KRAS and BRAF mutations was performed using droplet digital PCR, and targeted NGS was used for validation and extended analysis of the mutational profile.
KRAS mutations were detected in 31.6% of primary tumors and 23.1% of metastases using targeted sequencing. The most common mutation was G12V, found in 21.1% of primary tumors and 15.4% of metastases. A greater diversity of KRAS variants was observed in primary tumors. BRAF mutations were detected significantly less frequently: V600G was the predominant mutation in primary tumors (5.3%), while V600E was found in metastases (15.4%).
The combined use of ddPCR and NGS improves the accuracy of molecular characterization of mCRC and is essential for personalized therapy selection.
Keywords
BRAF, colorectal cancer, ddPCR, KRAS, mutation, sequencing
Article Details
References
Morgan E., Arnold M., Gini A. et al. Global burden of colorectal cancer in 2020 and 2040: incidence and mortality estimates from GLOBOCAN // Gut. ‒ 2023. ‒ Vol.72, №2. ‒ P.338-344.
Roshandel G., Ghasemi-Kebria F., Malekzadeh R. Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention // Cancers. ‒ 2024. ‒ Vol.16, №8. ‒ P.1530.
Oikonomou E., Koustas E., Goulielmaki M. et al. BRAF vs RAS oncogenes: are mutations of the same pathway equal? Differential signalling and therapeutic implications // Oncotarget. ‒ 2014. ‒ Vol.5, №23. ‒ P.11752-11777.
Takeda M., Yoshida S., Inoue T. et al. The Role of KRAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer: Biological Insights, Clinical Implications, and Future Therapeutic Perspectives // Cancers (Basel). ‒ 2025. ‒ Vol.17, №3.
Dinu D., Dobre M., Panaitescu E. et al. Prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer--preliminary study // J Med Life. ‒ 2014. ‒ Vol.7, №4. ‒ P.581-587.
Jafari M., Laraqui A., Baba W. et al. Prevalence and patterns of mutations in RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in colorectal cancer in North Africa // BMC Cancer. ‒ 2022. ‒ Vol.22, №1. ‒ P.1142.
Ilhan N., Dane F., Goker E. et al. Regional and Gender-Based Distribution of KRAS Mutations in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients in Turkey: An Observational Study // Medicina (Kaunas). ‒ 2025. ‒ Vol.61, №4.
Vanova B., Kalman M., Jasek K. et al. Droplet digital PCR revealed high concordance between primary tumors and lymph node metastases in multiplex screening of KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer // Clin Exp Med. ‒ 2019. ‒ Vol.19, №2. ‒ P.219-224.
Olmedillas-López S., Lévano-Linares D.C., Alexandre C.L.A. et al. Detection of KRAS G12D in colorectal cancer stool by droplet digital PCR // World J Gastroenterol. ‒ 2017. ‒ Vol.23, №39. ‒ P.7087-7097.
Phua L.C., Ng H.W., Yeo A.H. et al. Prevalence of KRAS, BRAF, PI3K and EGFR mutations among Asian patients with metastatic colorectal cancer // Oncol Lett. ‒ 2015. ‒ Vol.10, №4. ‒ P.2519-2526.
Wang C., Pan D. Mutation patterns and prognostic analysis of BRAF/KRAS/PIK3CA in colorectal cancer // J Clin Lab Anal. ‒ 2022. ‒ Vol.36, №6. ‒ P.e24444.
Potocki P.M., Wójcik P., Chmura Ł. et al. Clinical Characterization of Targetable Mutations (BRAF V600E and KRAS G12C) in Advanced Colorectal Cancer-A Nation-Wide Study // Int J Mol Sci. ‒ 2023. ‒ Vol.24, №10.