Laura Capelli et al., No evidence of NRAS mutation in squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC). Scientific Reports

Laura Capelli¹, Andrea Casadei Gardini², Emanuela Scarpi³, Giovanni Luca Frassineti², Luca Saragoni⁴, Maurizio Puccetti⁵, Mario Scartozzi⁶, Massimo Giannini⁷, Stefano Tamberi⁸, Jody Corbelli⁸ & Paola Ulivi¹

¹Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
²Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
³Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
⁴Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy
⁵Pathology Unit, S.Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy
⁶Medical Oncology, University Hospital, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
⁷Radiotherapy Unit, Macerata Hospital, Macerata, Italy
⁸Medical Oncology Unit, Degli Infermi Hospital, Faenza, Italy

Abstract:

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is usually expressed in squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC) and anti-EGFR agents could represent a valid treatment strategy, also considering that KRAS and BRAF mutations are rare events in this type of cancer. However, no data are available on NRAS status in SCAC. In this study we analyzed NRAS status (exons 2–4) by Pyrosequencing in a case series of 50 SCAC patients previously characterized in our laboratory for KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA mutations and HPV and HIV infections. We found no mutation in NRAS gene. These results confirm that since the principal anti-EGFR resistance mechanisms are almost absent in SCAC, anti-EGFR agents should be considered for the treatment of this type of cancer.

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