Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
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Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

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Targeting the undruggable oncogenic KRAS: the dawn of hope

Hande Asimgil1,2, Utku Ertetik2, Nedim Can Çevik2

  • 1Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.

JCI Insight
|January 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Targeting KRAS mutations, drivers of lung, pancreatic, and colon cancers, with new small molecules and advanced therapies offers renewed hope. Research reviews KRAS-targeting strategies, their potential, and challenges for improved cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • KRAS mutations are key drivers in non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
  • Despite 30 years of research, inhibiting KRAS mutants and signaling pathways remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent strategies for targeting KRAS mutations in cancer.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential and challenges of these novel KRAS-targeting approaches.
  • To explore the synergistic effects of combinatorial therapies involving KRAS inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advancements in KRAS-targeting strategies.
  • Analysis of small molecule inhibitors specifically targeting KRAS mutants.
  • Examination of emerging technologies like gene editing and protein engineering in cancer therapy.
  • Assessment of preclinical and clinical trial data on combinatorial therapies.

Main Results:

  • Specific small molecule inhibitors targeting KRAS mutants have shown promise for lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
  • Advances in gene editing, protein engineering, and drug delivery are revolutionizing cancer treatment regimens.
  • New therapies focus on enhancing immune surveillance and antitumor immunity against KRAS-driven cancers.
  • Combinatorial therapies demonstrate potential synergistic effects in preclinical and clinical settings.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting KRAS mutations with novel small molecules and advanced therapeutic strategies offers significant hope for patients with KRAS-driven cancers.
  • Overcoming remaining challenges and exploring synergistic effects of combinatorial therapies are crucial for advancing KRAS-targeted cancer treatment.
  • Precision medicine approaches, including gene editing and immune enhancement, are transforming the landscape of oncological therapies.

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