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An Update on the Biology of RAS/RAF Mutations in Colorectal Cancer

  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

Deaths caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) are among the leading causes of cancer-related death in the United States and around the world. Approximately 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with CRC each year and around 50,000 will die from it. Mutations in many key genes have been identified that are important to the pathogenesis of CRC. Among the genes mutated in CRC, RAS and RAF mutations are common events. Both RAS and RAF are critical mediators of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway that is involved in regulating cellular homeostasis, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In this review, we provide a historical perspective and update on RAS/RAF mutations as related to colorectal cancer. Additionally, we will review recent mouse models of RAS and RAF mutations that have an impact on CRC research.

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Acknowledgment

This work was in part supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (DK52230, DK64399, and CA84197).

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No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Mandayam O. Nandan & Vincent W. Yang

  2. Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Vincent W. Yang

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  1. Mandayam O. Nandan
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  2. Vincent W. Yang
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Correspondence to Vincent W. Yang.

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Nandan, M.O., Yang, V.W. An Update on the Biology of RAS/RAF Mutations in Colorectal Cancer. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep 7, 113–120 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-011-0086-1

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