Molecular assay for K-ras

Qiagen has launched a test to determine mutations of the K-ras gene, which can better define which metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients will benefit from treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibiting monoclonal antibodies, such as Amgen’s Vectibix (panitumumab) and Imclone/Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Erbitux (cetuximab).

The PyroMark Q24 K-ras Assay-Kit is CE marked for use in second-line treatment of metastatic CRC together with Erbitux of Vectibix. It can detect all major and minor known mutations in the K-ras codons 12, 13 and 61 and also allows the discovery of new mutations.

The assay is based on Pyrosequencing, a technology for short-length, high-resolution sequence analysis and quantification.

Pyrosequencing reads the actual target sequence and is claimed to be able to detect all known and unknown genetic variations in DNA target regions in which mutations occur. It provides built-in quality control, multiplex formats and is suitable for complex starting materials such as fixed tissue.