How RAS gene mutations begin cancer
Genetic dissection of oncogenic RAS-driven tumor initiation in vivo
This project looks at how different RAS gene mutations cause cancer to start, aiming to help people whose tumors are driven by RAS changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300181 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are using special mouse models to recreate the very first RAS mutations that can kick off cancer. One model exposes normal cells to carcinogens to see which RAS changes appear, and the other turns on specific mutant RAS genes in selected cells to watch how those cells respond over time. By comparing these approaches, the team hopes to learn why certain cancer types get particular RAS mutations and how those early changes lead to tumors. The work focuses on the common human RAS genes KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS to make findings more relevant to patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers known to be driven by KRAS, NRAS, or HRAS mutations (for example some pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers) are the group most likely to benefit from findings.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not driven by RAS mutations or people without cancer are unlikely to derive direct benefit from this specific grant's experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to detect or block RAS-driven cancers earlier and help guide future targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse-model studies have clarified many aspects of RAS biology, and this project builds on that work by using refined models to study the very earliest mutation events.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Counter, Christopher M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Counter, Christopher M
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.