Genomic analysis of exceptional responder to regorafenib in treatment-refractory metastatic rectal cancer: a case report and review of the literature.

We present the case of a 53-year-old male with metastatic rectal cancer who was treatment resistant to FOLFOX and FOLFOXIRI. Due to a Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) mutation, regorafenib was given in the third line setting. Surprisingly, the patient had a prolonged partial response that lasted 27 months. Mutational status was extensively evaluated to identify potential alterations that might play a role as predictive markers for this unusual event. A poorly characterized but nontransforming mutation in Fms-like tyrosine kinase 4 ( FLT4 ) was present in the tumor. Prior to and at the time of clinical progression, we found amplification of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 ( FGFR1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) , loss of the FLT4 mutation, and gain of KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) G961S suggesting potential roles in acquired resistance.