Unique K-ras mutational pattern in pancreatic adenocarcinoma from Taiwanese patients.

To assess the prevalence and spectrum of K-ras mutations in Taiwanese patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we analyzed 20 patients of ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. The study included K-ras mutations that were detected using DNA direct sequencing analysis of the polymerase chain reaction products and confirmed by reverse sequencing primers. The results showed that K-ras codon 12 mutation was detected in 90% of the cancer tissues (18/20).