Dr. Raghav on Activating the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK Pathway in CRC

Kanwal Raghav, MBBS, MD, associate professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the activation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Some mutations tend to activate tumor growth signals within CRC cells, says Raghav. Additionally, the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway is the most active pathway in CRC, says Raghav.

The pathway can be targeted at multiple sites such as the EGFR receptor or HER2 receptor, Raghav explains. Additionally, mutations downstream of pathway such as RAS and BRAF can activate disease growth.

Understanding the genomics of the tumor can help determine whether patients should receive anti-EGFR therapy, concludes Raghav.