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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods
07:49

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods

Published on: July 17, 2019

Guilty as charged: B-RAF is a human oncogene

Mathew J Garnett1, Richard Marais

  • 1Signal Transduction Team, Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, United Kingdom.

Cancer Cell
|October 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Recent findings reveal BRAF (B-RAF) is a frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers. This review summarizes our understanding of BRAF

Area of Science:

  • Cellular signaling pathways
  • Molecular oncology
  • Cancer genetics

Background:

  • RAF proteins are key regulators of cellular responses to extracellular signals.
  • Despite extensive research, the oncogenic role of the B-RAF isoform is a recent discovery.
  • High-frequency mutations in B-RAF are observed in various human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the recent advancements in understanding B-RAF.
  • To discuss the role of B-RAF as an oncogene in human cancer.
  • To highlight the significance of B-RAF mutations in cancer development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on RAF proteins and B-RAF.
  • Analysis of research on B-RAF mutations and their frequency in cancer.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on B-RAF's function as an oncogene.

Main Results:

  • B-RAF is a significant oncogene implicated in human cancers.
  • Mutations in B-RAF occur frequently across diverse cancer types.
  • Understanding B-RAF's oncogenic role has progressed rapidly.

Conclusions:

  • B-RAF is a critical player in cancer development due to its frequent mutations.
  • Continued research into B-RAF is essential for targeted cancer therapies.
  • The discovery of B-RAF's oncogenic nature has opened new avenues in oncology.

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