Phenotypic and prevalence correlation with recurrent KRAS G12C, G13D, and G22E mutations in colorectal adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the KRAS oncogene at codons 12, 13, and 22 of exon 2 are common in colorectal cancer (CRC). These mutations lead to constitutive RAS pathway activation and are thought to promote tumor progression. However, their correlations with clinical features remain uncertain. KRAS exon 2 mutations were analyzed in 173 (CRC) patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Associations with demographic and pathological factors were examined. Three specific mutations were identified: G12C, G13D, and G22E. 144 patients had KRAS mutations while 29 were wild type. Mutations were more frequent vs wild type (83% vs 17%, p = 0.0001). Mutated tumors were associated with ages ≤ 40 vs ages ˃ 40 (86% vs 82%, p = 0.038), female gender (90% vs 80%, p = 0.007), and moderate differentiation (95% vs 77%, p = 0.033). KRAS exon 2 mutations were prevalent in this cohort and associated with clinicopathologic features. The results suggest these mutations increase colorectal cancer risk and support further investigation of their prognostic utility.

KEYWORDS:

• Colorectal cancer
• KRAS gene
• Exon 2
• G12C
• G13D
• G22E

Acknowledgments

Thanks and appreciation to the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies/University of Baghdad for their approval to conduct this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contribution

S.B. designed and performed the experiments, analyzed them, wrote, revised, and edited the manuscript.

Ethical approval

All patients provided written informed consent, and this study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Baghdad Teaching Hospital, College of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq (BMI 63).

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding for the researcher.