Low correspondence between K-ras mutations in pancreatic cancer tissue and detection of K-ras mutations in circulating DNA.

Objective: K-ras is the most frequently mutated gene in pancreatic cancer; reported rates range from 70% to 90%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correspondence between K-ras mutations in pancreatic cancer tissue and in circulating DNA and the value of K-ras mutations as serological marker.

Methods: The research was conducted in 30 patients with pancreatic cancer in whom both plasma and neoplastic tissues were available.