A better understanding of a mutation's link to lung cancer

Mutations of the KRAS gene are commonly known to lead to cancer. But deeper understanding of exactly how they do this continues to be explored by cancer researchers.

MD Anderson scientists have gained further insight about the processes behind KRAS mutations through a study that identified three subsets of lung cancer with mutations in this gene. This line of research has the potential to open up new approaches for treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAC), the most common form of lung cancer.

“The development of more effective treatments for LUAC-bearing activating mutations in KRAS has been hampered by the biological heterogeneity of KRAS-mutant tumors,” saidJohn Heymach, M.D., Ph.D., chair ofThoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology. “The molecular underpinnings that drive this process are poorly characterized.”

Heymach and his study team adopted an integrated approach to the discovery of biologically distinct subsets of KRAS-mutant LUAC and explored their molecular vulnerabilities.

“Our work revealed three major subsets of KRAS-mutant LUAC, which were dominated by co-occurring genetic events, each biologically distinct and susceptible to different therapeutic strategies,” said Ferdinandos Skoulidis, M.D., Ph.D., instructor of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology.

The study used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and other sources, including the MD Anderson-led trial, Biomarker-integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Elimination (BATTLE-2) to identify three robust subsets of KRAS-mutant LUAC. Each of the subsets, KL, KP and KC, demonstrated unique intracellular signaling patterns. KL in particular showed enhanced sensitivity to several Hsp90 inhibitors, drugs that have shown therapeutic promise. In this case, an Hsp90 inhibitor called ganetespib appeared particularly effective.

Read the full press releasehere.