Drugging RAS: Know the enemy

Abstract

The three RAS oncogenes make up the most frequently mutated gene family in human cancer. The well-validated role of mutationally activated RAS genes in driving cancer development and growth has stimulated comprehensive efforts to develop therapeutic strategies to block mutant RAS function for cancer treatment. Disappointingly, despite more than three decades of research effort, clinically effective anti-RAS therapies have remained elusive, prompting a perception that RAS may be undruggable. However, with a greater appreciation of the complexities of RAS that thwarted past efforts, and armed with new technologies and directions, the field is experiencing renewed excitement that mutant RAS may finally be conquered. Here we summarize where these efforts stand.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 17, 2017
Source ID
10.1126/science.aam7622

Entities

People

  • Bjoern Papke
  • Channing Der

Organizations

  • German Research Foundation
  • Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • National Cancer Institute
  • Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Strategic Security Studies