Is a common cancer-causing gene creating chaos in the heart of cells?
Cancer types:
General cancer research
Project period:
–
Research institute:
Centre de Regulacio Genomica
Award amount:
£206,550
Location:
Spain
Dr Sdelci has made an exciting discovery about the cancer-causing gene, KRAS. She hopes that investigating it further could lead to new ways to treat a range of cancer types.
Why is this research needed?
Cancer is caused by mutations to genes that can cause cells to divide and multiply too often. Understanding how these genes work – and how to stop them from malfunctioning – could lead to new ideas for cancer cures.
One gene that is very commonly mutated in cancers is called KRAS. In fact, KRAS gene mutations are found in 20% of all cancers, including hard-to-treat diseases like pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancer. Targeting the KRAS gene could lead to cancer treatments that would have a huge impact, but unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to get drugs to stick to it.
Dr Sdelci and her team have already made an exciting discovery that may change the way we think about this gene, but it’s only with your support that they will be able to explore further and find out how this could shape new cancer treatments.
To every Curestarter who supports Worldwide Cancer Research: thank you. With your support, we are venturing into uncharted territory—exploring entirely unknown nuclear roles of KRAS, the most mutated oncogene in cancer. You are truly igniting discoveries that could change lives.
What is the science behind this project?
All the instructions for our bodies to function properly are stored in our genes. Cancer occurs when one or more of these genes mutates, and it stops performing its useful function.
There are some genes in our body that are more prone to cancer-causing mutations. For example, 9 in 10 pancreatic cancers are caused by a mutation to one specific gene known as KRAS. The KRAS gene is involved in signalling, telling the cell when to grow and divide. It does this by producing unique proteins that act as an “on” or “off” switch for cell growth. If there is a mutation in the KRAS gene, this can cause the proteins to get stuck in the “on” position, causing the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, which can turn into cancer.
Dr Sara Sdelci and her team have an innovative idea. Because KRAS proteins communicate about what is happening outside the cell, it was assumed that they must be located at the edges around the cell membrane.
But the team have recently discovered that these proteins are often found in different parts of the cell rather than only at the edges around the cell membrane.
If Dr Sdelci can uncover more about how they interact and function in those locations this knowledge could transform the science behind cancer cures that target the gene.
What difference could this project make to patients in the future?
With your support, they plan to use state-of-the-art technology to investigate how KRAS really works. This is the first step in being able to develop new, better drugs that can target the gene responsible for thousands of lives lost to cancer too soon.
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