Studies highlighted in ASCO press release from the GI Symposium in January

* An economic analysis showing that routine testing for KRAS gene mutations in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer could save the U.S. health system up to $604 million per year in the cost of the drug cetuximab (Erbitux). Recent studies have shown that cetuximab is only effective in patients with the normal (wild-type) form of the KRAS gene.

* Research finding for the first time that that specific mutations in the EGF gene may be able to predict esophageal cancer risk in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a key step in identifying which of the 20 million people with GERD in the United States may benefit from aggressive screening for esophageal cancer.

* A study finding that the drug octreotide LAR (Sandostatin LAR) slows cancer growth in patients with malignant neuroendocrine tumors of the lower small intestine, marking the first drug option for this rare cancer type.

* A study that identifies genetic variations that may predict survival and outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer. These early findings have the potential to spare patients from the side effects and high costs of aggressive surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation when such treatment is unlikely provide any health benefit.

Click here for more results from the ASCO GI Symposium.

Tags: Conference reports, Research Results //