MD Anderson research shows KRAS inhibitors may treat appendiceal cancer

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified KRAS-targeted therapies as a promising new treatment option for appendiceal cancer. KRAS mutations are found in approximately 80% of mucinous tumors, the most common type of appendiceal cancer.

In a clinical cohort of 15 patients, the use of various KRAS inhibitors led to a significant reduction in serum tumor markers, which decreased by an average of more than 80% within 12 weeks of starting treatment. The study, published in the Journal of Hematology & Oncology, demonstrated that these therapies were effective across different KRAS mutations and tumor grades.

While the study is based on a small patient cohort, the findings support the need for larger prospective trials. The research suggests that combining KRAS inhibition with other treatments, such as immunotherapy or anti-angiogenesis therapy, may help overcome potential resistance mechanisms.