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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

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Statins suppress colon tumors by inhibiting KRAS condensates

Zhuangzhuang Yuan1, Chenyu Wang2, Rong Xiang3

  • 1Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Trends in Molecular Medicine
|August 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Farnesylation drives KRAS phase separation, promoting colon cancer and G12C inhibitor resistance. Statins can block this process, suppressing tumor growth and reversing drug resistance, offering a new therapeutic avenue.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The regulatory and transport mechanisms of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) are not fully understood, hindering the development of targeted therapies.
  • KRAS mutations are common in various cancers, making it a critical target for drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of farnesylation-induced KRAS phase separation in colon cancer progression.
  • To explore the potential of statins in blocking KRAS phase separation and overcoming resistance to G12C inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • The study likely involved cell-based assays and potentially in vivo models to examine KRAS localization and function.
  • Investigated the impact of farnesylation inhibitors and statins on KRAS activity and colon cancer cell behavior.

Main Results:

  • Wang et al. demonstrated that farnesylation-induced KRAS phase separation promotes colon cancer progression.
  • This process was found to be a key mechanism underlying resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors.
  • Statins were shown to effectively block KRAS phase separation, leading to suppressed tumor growth and reversal of drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Farnesylation-induced KRAS phase separation is a critical driver of colon cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.
  • Statins represent a promising therapeutic strategy to target KRAS-driven cancers by inhibiting this phase separation process and overcoming drug resistance.
Keywords:
KRAScolon cancerfarnesylationliquid–liquid phase separationstatins

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