Applications

1363 – RAS (Kirsten RAS and Neuroblastoma RAS) mutation testing for eligibility for panitumumab treatment in previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type -
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome -

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

The RAS mutation test is a combination of genetic tests, conducted on a biopsy sample, to tell whether a tumour carries a RAS mutation(s). KRAS and NRAS are highly related members of the RAS oncogene family which have an important role in the development and continued growth of colorectal cancer. The KRAS gene is found to be mutated, or changed, in about 40% of people with colorectal cancer. The NRAS gene is found to be mutated in an additional 10-15% of patients. The other ~50% of people have a non-mutated (sometimes called “wild type”) RAS genes.

Type: Investigative

Medical condition this application addresses

Widespread colorectal cancer is treated with chemotherapy and patients may receive several sequential courses of different types of chemotherapy as the disease progresses. For patients with widespread disease the prognosis is poor with only 10% of patients still alive 5 years after diagnosis.

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: Not required
  • ESC meeting: 12 - 13 June 2014
  • MSAC meeting: 
    • 3 October 2014
    • 27 July 2018