Association of KRAS mutation with tumor deposit status and overall survival of colorectal cancer

Purpose: To examine associations of KRAS mutation with tumor deposit status and overall survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with incidental CRC diagnosed during 2010–2014 and recorded statuses of KRAS and tumor deposit in the National Cancer Database of the USA. Multivariable logistic regression and time-varying Cox regression analyses were used. Results: We included 45,761 CRC patients with KRAS status (24,027 [52.5%] men, 24,240 [53.0%] < 65 years old, 17,338 [37.9%] with KRAS mutation). Adjusted for microsatellite instability, age, pathologic stage and tumor grade, KRAS mutation (versus wild type) was associated with tumor deposit presence (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.20). KRAS mutation was also linked to worse overall survival of CRC patients regardless of tumor deposit status (adjusted Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20, 95% CI 1.07–1.33 for CRC with tumor deposits, and adjusted HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.35 or CRC without) or tumor stage (adjusted HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.14–1.54 for early-stage and adjusted HR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.10–1.27 for late-stage). Microsatellite instability was associated with better overall survival in CRC without tumor deposit (adjusted HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.79–0.99), but not in CRC with tumor deposit (adjusted HR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.97–1.30). Conclusion: KRAS mutation is independently associated with tumor deposit presence and a worse overall survival in CRC patients.