How inherited genes influence RAS-driven cancers
Dissecting the Role of Germline Genetics in RAS-Driven Cancers
This work looks at how a person’s inherited genes change the risk, behavior, and treatment response of cancers driven by RAS mutations so high-risk people can be found earlier and new treatment targets discovered.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11367135 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have or are at risk for a RAS-driven cancer (like pancreatic, colorectal, lung, or melanoma), this research combines inherited (germline) DNA with tumor and clinical data to find genetic factors that change how RAS mutations behave. The team will analyze a large collection of paired germline, somatic, clinical, and transcriptomic data from over 35,000 people and test key findings in lab models. Results aim to help identify people who should get earlier screening or prevention and to reveal new biological targets that could lead to better therapies. The work is led at Dana-Farber and will use both existing patient data and laboratory follow-ups to confirm candidate genetic modifiers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with RAS-driven cancers (pancreatic, colorectal, lung, melanoma) or those with a family/history or genetic data who could contribute germline or tumor samples or data.
Not a fit: People whose cancers are not driven by RAS mutations or who cannot provide genetic or clinical data are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help flag people at higher risk for RAS-driven cancers for earlier screening and point to new targets for treatments that currently don’t work well against RAS tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior research shows inherited variants can change cancer risk, but combining large-scale germline and tumor data specifically to modify RAS oncogenicity is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Ryan Lewis — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Collins, Ryan Lewis
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.