Ali Vahabi - Department of Genetics and Immunology, Faculty of medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Background and aim: Colorectal cancer is a multifactorial disease caused by the accumulation of somatic mutations in genes. Various mutations on KRAS proto-oncogene has been found in patients with colorectal cancer. In this study we investigated prevalence of KRAS mutations in patients with colorectal cancer and in West Azerbaijan province, Iran.Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from colorectal tumor tissue obtained from ۵۱ patients with primary colorectal cancer. Direct sequencing method was used for determining location and type of KRAS gene mutations. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed statistically.Results: The prevalence of KRAS gene mutation was ۱.۹۶% (۱ in ۵۱ patients). The identified mutation was p.Ala۱۴۶Thr (rs۱۲۱۹۱۳۵۲۷) on exon ۴ of KRAS in a male patient. The female did not carry any KRAS gene mutations.Conclusion: A higher age distribution ratio than the early onset of colorectal cancer in Iran requires attention to screening and prevention programs in the younger age group in Iran. There is also a growing need for large-scale molecular genetic studies in larger populations and different geographical areas.

Colorectal cancer, KRAS gene, Mutation, Sequencing