Involvement of the ras genes in female genital tract cancer

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Updated: May 28, 2026

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay
09:58

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay

Published on: August 22, 2010

Ioannis N Mammas1, Alexandros Zafiropoulos, Demetrios A Spandidos

  • 1Laboratory of Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71100, Crete, Greece.

International Journal of Oncology
|April 6, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Ras oncogenes play a dual role in cancer, acting as both oncogenes and oncosuppressors. This review examines ras gene alterations in gynecological cancers, including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Human carcinogenesis involves complex genetic events, with oncogenes and oncosuppressor genes playing critical roles.
  • Ras oncogenes are frequently implicated in cellular transformation and apoptosis, exhibiting a dual role as both oncogenes and oncosuppressors.
  • Ras activation can occur through genomic alterations like point mutations or changes in Ras protein expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review genomic and expression alterations of ras oncogenes in cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.
  • To summarize current knowledge on ras activation in gynecological malignancies.
  • To explore the potential clinical applications of understanding ras activation in these cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular and immunohistochemical studies.
  • Analysis of genomic alterations and protein expression of ras oncogenes.
  • Focus on data related to cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

Main Results:

  • Ras oncogenes are significantly altered in various human tumors.
  • Gynecological cancers show well-documented patterns of ras activation.
  • Specific genomic and expression alterations of ras are observed in cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Ras oncogenes are key players in the development of gynecological malignancies.
  • Understanding ras activation provides insights into carcinogenesis.
  • Ras pathway alterations may hold potential for clinical applications in gynecological cancer management.

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