First Detection of KRAS Mutation in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Advances in molecular biology tools have made it possible to make progress in terms of therapeutics by acting specifically on the molecular mechanisms involved in the virulence of pathogens or in the development of the disease. In the case of cancer, new therapeutics have been developed thanks to these advances. This is called targeted therapy. Targeted therapy molecules specifically act as a molecule, or a molecular pathway involved in the development of the tumor. The use of targeted therapy drugs therefore requires molecular characterization of tumors. In developing countries, the reference tool is high-throughput sequencing, but due to the high cost, this strategy remains inaccessible for the majority of African populations. It is remains necessary to implement alternative molecular diagnostic tools in order to reduce the disparities currently observed in access to cancer care. The High-Resolution Melting analysis (HRM) method is based on real-time PCR and is described as a simple, rapid and specific method for the detection of somatic mutations predictive of anti-tumor therapeutic response. We demonstrated in this study that this method could be implemented in a lower middle-income country like Côte d’Ivoire, and we used it to detect KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer patients for the first time in Cote d’Ivoire.