KRAS, NRAS and BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer and melanoma

Med Oncol. 2017 Feb;34(2):26. doi: 10.1007/s12032-016-0879-9. Epub 2017 Jan 10.

Abstract

Cancers are the group of diseases, which arise because of the uncontrolled behavior of some of the genes in our cells. There are possibilities of gene amplifications, overexpressions, deletions and other anomalies which might lead to the development and spread of cancer. One of the most dangerous ways to the cancers is the mutations of the genes. The mutated genes can start unstoppable proliferation of cells, their uncontrolled motility, protection from apoptosis, the DNA mutation enhancement as well as other anomalies, leading to the cancer. This review focuses on the genes, which are frequently mutated in various cancers and are known to be important in the advance and progression of colorectal cancer and melanoma, namely KRAS, NRAS and BRAF.

Keywords: BRAF; Colorectal cancer; GTPase; KRAS; Kinase; Melanoma; Mutation; NRAS; Squamous cell anal cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / enzymology*
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)