Markers for EGFR pathway activation as predictor of outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with or without cetuximab.

Background: Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment are only effective in patients with KRAS wild type tumours. Here we assess the predictive value of other potential relevant markers involved in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling pathways for response to cetuximab-based treatment.

Materials And Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer tissue of the primary tumour was obtained from 559 mCRC patients treated with chemotherapy and bevacizumab with or without cetuximab (phase III CAIRO2 study).