Frontiers in Oncology (Nov 2022)

Case Report: MAP2K1 K57N mutation is associated with primary resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer

  • Gianluca Mauri,
  • Gianluca Mauri,
  • Gianluca Mauri,
  • Giorgio Patelli,
  • Giorgio Patelli,
  • Viviana Gori,
  • Viviana Gori,
  • Calogero Lauricella,
  • Benedetta Mussolin,
  • Alessio Amatu,
  • Katia Bencardino,
  • Federica Tosi,
  • Erica Bonazzina,
  • Emanuela Bonoldi,
  • Alberto Bardelli,
  • Alberto Bardelli,
  • Salvatore Siena,
  • Salvatore Siena,
  • Andrea Sartore-Bianchi,
  • Andrea Sartore-Bianchi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.1030232
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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BackgroundWe aim to identify the prevalence and the role of the MAP2K1 K57N mutation in predicting resistance to anti-EGFR agents in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed tumor-based next generation sequencing (NGS) results from mCRC patients screened for enrollment in the GO40872/STARTRK-2 clinical trial between July 2019 and March 2021. Then, in patients harboring microsatellite stable (MSS) RAS and BRAF wild-type MAP2K1 mutant mCRC, we reviewed outcome to treatment with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies.ResultsA total of 246 mCRC patients were screened. Most of them, 215/220 (97.7%), were diagnosed with MSS mCRC and 112/215 (52.1%) with MSS, RAS and BRAF wild-type mCRC. Among the latter, 2/112 (1.8%) had MAP2K1 K57N mutant mCRC and both received anti-EGFR monotherapy as third line treatment. In both patients, MAP2K1 K57N mutant tumors proved primary resistant to anti-EGFR agent panitumumab monotherapy. Of interest, one of these patients was treated with anti-EGFR agents three times throughout his course of treatment, achieving some clinical benefit only when associated with other cytotoxic agents (FOLFOX or irinotecan).ConclusionWe verified in a clinical real-world setting that MAP2K1 K57N mutation is a resistance mechanism to anti-EGFR agents in mCRC. Thus, we suggest avoiding the administration of these drugs to MSS RAS and BRAF wild-type MAP2K1 N57K mutant mCRC.

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