The major NRAS mutations associated with melanoma are ‘activating mutations’ — they cause the NRAS protein to turn on and stay on. Furthermore, research has shown that melanomas with NRAS mutations tend to be more aggressive and are more likely to develop resistance to treatment. NRAS needs this phosphate, so without STK19, NRAS doesn’t function. “Our findings provide a new and viable therapeutic strategy for melanomas harboring NRAS mutations,” say the researchers in their new paper, published today in the journal Cell. In particular, RAS mutations drive up to 95% of pancreatic cancers and 45% of colorectal cancers.

Source: Forbes January 31, 2019 23:03 UTC