BackgroundKRAS mutation assays are important companion diagnostic tests to guide anti-EGFR antibody treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Direct comparison of newer diagnostic methods with existing methods is an important part of validation of any new technique. In this this study, we have compared the Therascreen (Qiagen) ARMS assay with Competitive Allele-Specific TaqMan PCR (castPCR, Life Technologies) to determine equivalence for KRAS mutation analysis.MethodsDNA was extracted by Maxwell (Promega) from 99 colorectal cancers. The ARMS-based Therascreen and a customized castPCR assay were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All assays were performed on either an Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Dx or a ViiA7 real-time PCR machine (both from Life Technologies). The data were collected and discrepant results re-tested with newly extracted DNA from the same blocks in both assay types.ResultsOf the 99 tumors included, Therascreen showed 62 tumors to be wild-type (WT) for KRAS, while 37 had KRAS mutations on initial testing. CastPCR showed 61 tumors to be wild-type (WT) for KRAS, while 38 had KRAS mutations. Thirteen tumors showed BRAF mutation in castPCR and in one of these there was also a KRAS mutation. The custom castPCR plate included several other KRAS mutations and BRAF V600E, not included in Therascreen, explaining the higher number of mutations detected by castPCR. Re-testing of discrepant results was required in three tumors, all of which then achieved concordance for KRAS. CastPCR assay Ct values were on average 2 cycles lower than Therascreen.ConclusionThere was excellent correlation between the two methods. Although castPCR assay shows lower Ct values than Therascreen, this is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Purpose/Objective: To understand activities and experiences of women with fear of falling during cancer survivorship. Design: Parallel, mixed-methods design. Setting: Academic research. Participants and Measurement: Women who had completed active treatment and reported fear of falling completed structured surveys, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a time-use assessment(s) guided by individual interview, and a focus group. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t test, and exploratory Pearson correlations were used to analyze quantitative variables. Qualitative themes were identified through inductive, descriptive analysis. Results: Three (38%) participants had fallen in the past 6 months and 4 (50%) were considered at risk for falling (ie, TUG >10.7 seconds). Most of participants' time was spent at home versus away from home (t = −1.2, P = .04) and in committed occupations (M = 5.5 ± 2.1 hours; 34.8% of time per day). TUG fall risk (>10.7 seconds) and global mental health (r = −0.83, P = .01), TUG time and Activities Balance Confidence (r = −0.71, P < .05), and fear of falling and global mental health (r = −0.76, P = .03) were significantly correlated. Fear of falling led to (1) identity challenges and (2) ongoing lifestyle adaptations during survivorship. Adaptations included increased awareness, avoidance, or making modifications to support (or diminish) participation in daily activities and roles while avoiding falls. Limitations: Small sample and lack of precancer data. Conclusions: Fear of falling is an important influence on women's activities and experiences during cancer survivorship. Fear of falling may negatively influence mental health and physical function. Women may experience identity challenges and the need to make ongoing adaptations to participate in important roles and activities during survivorship.