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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Identification of EGFR and RAS Inhibitors using Caenorhabditis elegans
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Oncogenic RAS: From Its Activation to Its Direct Targeting

Apostolos Zaravinos1

  • 1Biomedical Sciences Program, Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
|April 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

RAS oncogenes are frequently mutated in cancer. This review covers RAS gene discovery, function, aberrant activation in cancer, and 30 years of therapeutic strategies, highlighting new anti-RAS therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RAS oncogenes are the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers.
  • Aberrant activation of RAS drives cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting mutant RAS has been a significant challenge in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the discovery and function of RAS genes.
  • To examine the mechanisms of RAS oncogene activation in cancer.
  • To highlight therapeutic strategies developed over 30 years to target mutant RAS.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of RAS gene discovery and function.
  • Analysis of mechanisms of oncogenic RAS activation.
  • Overview of therapeutic strategies and their state-of-the-art.

Main Results:

  • RAS genes play a critical role in cancer development.
  • Despite challenges, advances in understanding RAS structure and technology enable new anti-RAS therapies.
  • Various strategies show promise but also have potential pitfalls.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting mutant RAS remains a key goal in oncology.
  • New therapeutic strategies are emerging, offering hope for effective anti-RAS treatments.
  • Continued research is essential to overcome challenges and optimize anti-RAS therapies.

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