Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

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

6.0K

Molecular Targeting of the BRAF Proto-Oncogene/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathway across Cancers

Khine S Shan1, Tauseef U Rehman1, Stan Ivanov1

  • 1Memorial Health Care, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pembroke Pines, FL 33328, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

BRAF and MEK inhibitors are crucial for controlling cancer growth by targeting the MAPK pathway. These targeted therapies have expanded from melanoma to various cancers, including tumor-agnostic approvals, advancing personalized medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates cell growth and survival.
  • BRAF mutations lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and carcinogenesis.
  • Targeting BRAF and MEK is a validated strategy for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development of BRAF and MEK inhibitors.
  • To cover their expansion from melanoma to tumor-agnostic indications.
  • To discuss novel drugs, challenges, and future directions in personalized cancer medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of BRAF and MEK inhibitors.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and FDA approvals.
  • Discussion of therapeutic advancements and personalized medicine applications.

Main Results:

  • BRAF/MEK inhibitors are approved for melanoma, lung, thyroid, colorectal cancers, and histiocytosis.
  • Tumor-agnostic approvals demonstrate broad efficacy.
  • Significant progress has been made in targeted cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • BRAF and MEK inhibitors represent a significant advancement in oncology.
  • Their application has broadened considerably, offering new hope for patients.
  • Continued research is vital for optimizing their use in personalized medicine.
Keywords:
BRAFERKMAPKMEKmolecular profilingpersonalized medicinetargeted therapytumor agnostic

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