Direct Inhibition of RAS: Quest for the Holy Grail?

Publication date: Available online 14 December 2017 Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology Author(s): Russell Spencer-Smith, John P. O’Bryan RAS GTPases (H-, K-, and N-RAS) are the most frequently mutated oncoprotein family in human cancer. However, the relatively smooth surface architecture of RAS and its picomolar affinity for nucleotide have given rise to the assumption that RAS is an “undruggable” target. Recent advancements in drug screening, molecular modeling, and a greater understanding of RAS function have led to a resurgence in efforts to pharmacologically target this challenging foe. This review focuses on the state of the art of RAS inhibition, the approaches taken to achieve this goal, and the challenges of translating these discoveries into viable therapeutics.
Source: Seminars in Cancer Biology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research