{"id":3669454,"date":"2025-07-18T08:54:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T12:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/?post_type=story&p=3669454"},"modified":"2025-11-05T17:52:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T22:52:25","slug":"exploring-kras-a-precision-approach-in-oncology","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/stories\/exploring-kras-a-precision-approach-in-oncology\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring KRAS: A precision approach in oncology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n \n Innovation<\/small>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

\n Exploring KRAS: A precision approach in oncology\n <\/h1>\n

Merck scientists research oncogene mutations driving cancer growth<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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July 18, 2025<\/p>\n

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3D depiction of KRAS protein complex<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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How oncogenes like KRAS drive cancer growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Armed with an ever-deepening understanding of cancer biology and advanced precision medicine tools, scientists have traced the molecular basis of cancer cell formation and tumor growth to alterations in key genes, known as oncogenes. Oncogenes play a crucial role in driving cancer growth by disrupting normal cellular processes that control cell growth and division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When oncogenes are mutated, they cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to tumor formation and cancer development. Understanding how oncogenes drive cancer development provides a potential means to explore new research approaches aimed at the specific genetic drivers of a patient\u2019s cancer compared with a one-size-fits-all approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes found in cancer. In healthy cells, KRAS serves as an on-off switch that regulates cell growth. However, when the gene is mutated, KRAS can become stuck in the \u201con\u201d position, causing uncontrolled cancer cell growth and proliferation. Several different mutations of KRAS have been identified, and commonly found types include G12C, G12V and G12D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The KRAS G12C mutation occurs in approximately 14% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 3-5% of colorectal cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe now know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating cancer. By focusing on key oncogenes like KRAS, we\u2019re exploring how to harness precision approaches to potentially impact tumor growth at its source.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n