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Method to 'turn off' mutated melanoma

New study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of NRAS mutant melanoma

Date:
January 31, 2019
Source:
Boston University School of Medicine
Summary:
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and notorious for its resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Approximately 25 percent of melanoma is driven by oncogenic mutations in the NRAS gene, making it a very attractive therapeutic target. However, despite decades of research, no effective therapies targeting NRAS have been forthcoming.
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Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and notorious for its resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Approximately 25 percent of melanoma is driven by oncogenic mutations in the NRAS gene, making it a very attractive therapeutic target. However, despite decades of research, no effective therapies targeting NRAS have been forthcoming.

For the first time, an international group of researchers has discovered a novel activator of NRAS and developed a specific inhibitor to effectively prevent NRAS mutant melanoma growth. These findings provide a promising therapeutic option to treat NRAS mutant melanoma.

The researchers first identified STK19 (an enzyme encoded by the STK19 gene) to be a critical regulator of NRAS function. Then they characterized the mechanism by which this activation takes place through biochemical and cellular experiments. Finally, they designed an STK19 inhibitor that efficiently prevented NRAS activation and development of NRAS mutant melanoma in an experimental model.

"This study provides a promising therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment. Furthermore, the STK19 inhibitor might be a therapeutic option in 25 percent of all cancers with RAS mutations," explained corresponding author Rutao Cui, MD, PhD, professor of pharmacology & experimental therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine. "We hope our findings ultimately will be clinically translated into improved care for cancer patients."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Boston University School of Medicine. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Chengqian Yin, Bo Zhu, Ting Zhang, Peng Wang, Xianming Deng, Rutao Cui. Pharmacological Targeting of STK19 Inhibits Oncogenic NRAS-Driven Melanomagenesis. Cell, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.002

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Boston University School of Medicine. "Method to 'turn off' mutated melanoma." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 January 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190131113907.htm>.
Boston University School of Medicine. (2019, January 31). Method to 'turn off' mutated melanoma. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190131113907.htm
Boston University School of Medicine. "Method to 'turn off' mutated melanoma." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190131113907.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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