Molecular pathways: the basis for rational combination using MEK inhibitors in KRAS-mutant cancers

Abstract

Mutations in RAS oncogenes are frequently observed in human cancers, and the mutations result in activation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, leading to cell proliferation and survival. The pathway is, therefore, a potent therapeutic target in the RAS-mutant cancers. MEK inhibitors can specifically block the pathway and are one of the key types of drugs for the treatment of the RAS-mutant cancers. As RAS proteins activate other downstream signaling proteins in addition to the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, combination therapeutic approaches with MEK inhibitors are also being evaluated. Moreover, MEK inhibitors can arrest cancer cells in G1 phase and repress prosurvival Bcl2 family proteins such as MCL1 and BCL2/BCLXL, and increase expression of Bim, a proapoptotic BH3-only family protein. This mechanism may explain the efficacy of the combination of MEK inhibitors with cytotoxic agents or other targeted inhibitors. A better understanding of the pathway will help us with development of rational combinations for the treatment of the RAS-mutant cancers.