Understanding how the RAS/RAF pathway works and how drugs affect it
Official title: Structural and mechanistic studies of the RAS/RAF MAPkinase pathway
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11424854 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying the detailed structure and regulation of a key cancer signaling pathway to help design better, more tolerable treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $657,443 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA315392-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424854 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group in this grant; translation would occur through future drug development and clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage, basic mechanistic work may not directly benefit patients during the project, though it lays groundwork for future therapies.
What this research studies
This project looks at the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling chain to map exactly how its proteins interact at the atomic level and how phosphorylation controls these interactions. It also aims to clarify how drugs targeting this pathway behave in complex ways inside the body. Building on prior work with BRAF complexes, the team will explore how activating partners and drug interactions influence treatment responses. The work is designed to reveal mechanisms that could guide the development of safer, more effective cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to cancer drugs that work better and with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous structural studies of BRAF complexes have advanced understanding; this project extends that framework to broader pathway regulation and drug responses.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eck, Michael J — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Eck, Michael J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Helping young people with cancer understand their genetic risks
This study is creating a special program to help teenagers and young adults with hereditary cancer risks learn about their health and make smart choices, while also supporting their families along the way.
-
Core administrative hub for a multifaceted cancer center program
A large, international cancer research program at Dana-Farber aims to advance a curative strategy for multiple myeloma by coordinating translational research, clinical trials, and data analysis.
-
Automated, interactive lab tool to define radiation targets in cancer care
Aims to make it easier and safer to outline the area to treat in radiation therapy for cancers by using smart software and a patient-friendly interface.
-
Cancer Atlas Network data hub to share big cancer data
A national project helps researchers store, harmonize, and share large cancer data collections so doctors and scientists can learn from many patients.
-
Bridge-building cancer research partnership for education, outreach, and science
A joint effort between UMass Boston and Harvard Cancer Consortium to accelerate cancer research and education by connecting lower-resourced institutions with a leading cancer center.
-
NexTGen: Next-Generation T cell therapy for childhood cancers
A charity-friendly overview: researchers at Dana-Farber are developing advanced engineered T-cell therapies to treat pediatric solid cancers like brain tumors and sarcomas.
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.