What are Driver Mutations?
Driver mutations are genetic alterations (DNA changes) that provide an advantage to cancer cells, promoting their development, growth, and spread. They can also be actionable targets for cancer treatment.
Where to Find Them
Common driver mutations may be detailed on standard of care genetic analyses of tumor samples (e.g. KRAS, NRAS). A more comprehensive genetic analysis of tumor tissue, available from a variety of commercial providers can reveal further driver (targetable) mutations.
Confirmed Non-Mutations (Wild-Type)
If certain genes were tested and found to have no mutation (called wild-type), please also specify these. For example, if you have a mutation in EGFR but TP53 showed no mutation, you would enter: "(EGFR), TP53 (no mutation)". This information helps build a complete picture of your tumor's genetic profile.
Don't know your driver mutations? If you don't have details of your driver mutations, just leave this section blank, and perhaps consider an analysis in the near future (see "Mastering testing options" section of Hacking Cancer portal).