Importantly, we have established that Tspan6 expression is decreased in CRC, and the analysis of Tspan6 expression in samples from an EGFR-targeting clinical trial (the COIN study, which assessed the effect of the addition of an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody [Cetuximab] to continuous chemotherapy on survival) revealed that that even after an adjustment for tumor-specific factors (e.g., KRAS mutation), Tspan6-positive patients responded better to Cetuximab-based therapies, and this correlated with improved overall survival. The gene discussed is KRAS; the disease is neoplasm.