Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare tumours, most often diagnosed at an unresectable stage, associated with poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate not exceeding 10%. Only first- and second-line treatments are well codified with the combination of cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by 5-FU and oxaliplatin chemotherapy, respectively. Many studies have shown that BTC, and more particularly intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), have a high rate of targetable somatic alteration. To date, the FDA has approved several drugs. Ivosidenib targeting IDH1 mutations, as well as futibatinib and pemigatinib targeting FGFR2 fusions, are approved for pre-treated advanced CCA. The combination of dabrafenib and trametinib are approved for BRAFV600E mutated advanced tumours, NTRK inhibitors entrectinib and larotrectinib for tumours bearing NTRK fusion and prembrolizumab for MSI-H advanced tumours, involving a small percentage of BTC in these three settings. Several other potentially targetable alterations are found in BTC, such as HER2 mutations or amplifications or KRASG12C mutations and mutations in genes involved in DNA repair mechanisms. This review aims to clarify the specific diagnostic modalities for gene alterations and to summarize the results of the main trials and developments underway for the management of advanced BTC with targetable alterations.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with significant public health concerns. This review examines the landscape of KRAS inhibition in colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on recent advances in therapeutic strategies targeting this oncogene. Historically deemed undruggable due to its complex structure and essential role in tumorigenesis, KRAS mutations are prevalent in CRC and are associated with poor prognosis. However, breakthroughs in drug development have led to the emergence of KRAS inhibitors as promising treatment options. This review discusses various classes of KRAS inhibitors, including covalent and non-covalent inhibitors, as well as combination therapies aimed at enhancing efficacy and overcoming resistance mechanisms. It highlights recent clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of KRAS inhibitors either as monotherapy or in combination with other agents, such as anti-EGFR antibodies. Despite challenges such as resistance mechanisms and tumor heterogeneity, the development of KRAS inhibitors represents a significant advance in CRC treatment and holds promise for improving patient outcomes in the future.

How distinct KRAS alterations in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) influence tumor initiation and outcomes remains unclear. Moreover, KRAS is now partly targetable with novel specific inhibitors targeting KRAS_G12 (G12C or G12D), but specific outcomes of these subgroups of patients is poorly described. In this study, we compared clinical/genomic characteristics and outcomes of PDAC depending on codon-specific KRAS mutant (G12 versus others), as well as gene expression profiles and in vitro drug sensibility using organoids. All metastatic patients with PDAC and available molecular profile from 2015 to 2022 were eligible, and patients with KRAS mutation were included. Transcriptomic data from 69 KRAS-mutated tumors were also analyzed. Overall, 263 patients were included—239 KRAS_G12 (91%) and 24 (9%) KRAS_other. There was no difference between KRAS_G12 and KRAS_other regarding clinicopathological characteristics and potentially actionable alterations, except for BRAF that was found in 13% of KRAS_other (P = 0.01). G protein subunit alpha S (GNAS) was found more altered in KRAS_other tumors (P = 0.002) suggesting potential intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm precursors. The median overall survival from metastatic diagnosis was 16.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 14.3-18.3 months] in KRAS_G12 and 24.9 months (95% CI 17.4-43.4 months) in KRAS_other [hazard ratio (ref: KRAS_G12) = 0.56 (0.34-0.94), P = 0.04 adjusted]. The first-line treatment response was not different between groups (overall response rate and progression-free survival), as confirmed with a similar organoid in vitro sensibility. Transcriptomic analyses showed a significant and exclusive up-regulation of immune pathways in KRAS_G12 tumors. Codon-specific KRAS mutations are not equal and we report that KRAS_G12 patients have a worst prognosis than KRAS_other patients in PDAC. These results warrant to be confirmed in larger-scale studies.