The mutation rate of EGFR in NSCLC patients is 16–18 % in North Americans and Europeans [6, 7], 19 % in African-Americans [8], 22 % in Indians [9], 29 % in Koreans [10], and 40 % in Japanese [11]; for the KRAS mutation in CRC patients, the rate is 37–54 % in North Americans and Europeans, 47 % in African-Americans [12], 24 % in Indians [13], 27 % in Koreans [12], and 38 % in Japanese [14], as summarized in Additional file 1: Table S1. The gene discussed is KRAS; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.