Warnex offers KRAS test for colorectal cancer
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Warnex has become the latest firm to offer KRAS gene testing for patients with colorectal cancer, through its Medical Laboratories division. The Quebec, Canada company joins DxS (Manchester, UK) and Clarient (Aliso Viejo, California), which already carry out KRAS testing. KRAS mutations, which occur in around 40% of colorectal cancer patients, are associated with a poor response to EGFR inhibitors, such as Amgen's Vectibix and Merck KGaA's Erbitux. Vectibix is only approved in the EU for patients with a non-mutated KRAS gene, but US labelling does not mention KRAS. However, earlier this month, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released a provisional clinical opinion recommending KRAS testing in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.