Dynamic nature of BRAF or KRAS p.G12C mutations in second-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer patients: do early and late effects exist?

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 130; no. 5; pp. 777 - 787
• Main Authors: Contreras-Toledo, Débora, Jiménez-Fonseca, Paula, López, Carlos López, Montes, Ana Fernández, López Muñoz, Ana María, Vázquez Rivera, Francisca, Alonso, Vicente, Alcaide, Julia, Salvà, Francesc, Covela Rúa, Marta, Guillot, Mónica, Martín Carnicero, Alfonso, Jimeno Mate, Raquel, Cameselle García, Soledad, Asensio Martínez, Elena, González Astorga, Beatriz, Fernandez-Diaz, Amaya B., González Villaroel, Paula, Virgili Manrique, Anna C., Melián Sosa, Marcos, Alonso, Beatriz, Cousillas Castiñeiras, Antia, Castañón López, Carmen, Aparicio, Jorge, Carmona-Bayonas, Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 23-03-2024; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/67/1504/1885; 631/67/395; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cancer Research; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Decision making; Drug Resistance; Epidemiology; Genotypes; K-Ras protein; Kinases; MAP kinase; Metastases; Molecular Medicine; Mutation; Oncology; Patients; Signal transduction; Temporal variations
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02563-w

Introduction
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling network aberrations in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) generate intrinsic dynamic effects and temporal variations that are crucial but often overlooked in clinical trial populations. Here, we investigate the time-varying impact of MAPK pathway mutation genotype on each treatment line’s contribution to the overall clinical course.
Methods
The PROMETEO study focused on mCRC patients undergoing second-line treatment at 20 hospitals. We evaluated genotypes and employed flexible models to analyse the dynamic effect of each mutation.
Results
We examined data derived from 1160 patients. The effects of KRAS G12C or G12V, and BRAF V600E are clearly time-varying, with unexpected consequences such as the deleterious effect of BRAF V600E vs other genotypes dissipating over time when subjects receive antiangiogenics, or KRAS G12V and G12C showing increasing aggressiveness over time. Thus, contrary to expectations, the 12-month survival rate from the second line for those who survived >6 months was 49.9% (95% CI, 32.7–67.3) for KRAS G12C and 59% (95% CI, 38.5–80.6) for BRAF V600E.
Conclusions
The dynamic perspective is essential for understanding the behaviour of tumours with specific genotypes, especially from the second line onward. This may be relevant in patient monitoring and treatment decision-making, particularly in cases with distinct mutations.