Using Sequenom to identify KRAS mutations in an Asian cohort of ovarian mucinous cancer

• Main Author: Tiong, Wen Ning
• Other Authors: Chay Wen Yee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60297
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

While there are distinct differences between mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) and the other subtypes of EOC, a standard treatment regimen is followed for all EOC histotypes. KRAS mutations have been observed to occur in relatively high frequencies of 50-60% in mEOC but not in other subtypes of EOC in at least three clinical studies. To determine the frequency of KRAS mutations in an Asian cohort of mEOC, a pilot study of 26 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) mEOC samples obtained from Kandang Kerbau Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) was conducted using Sequenom MassArray. This platform was previously reported as having a comparable rate of detection to Sanger sequencing. Overall KRAS mutation frequency was found to be 30.8% (8/26) by Sequenom. KRAS mutation frequency was thus lower in our local Asian population as compared to previously reported mutation frequencies in Western cohorts. However, the Sequenom platform was found to have a high rate of false negative results, as well as a lower detection rate when compared to Sanger sequencing. Further studies will have to be done to determine reasons for the high rate of false negative results as well as the lower detection rate.