[Focus on targeting the Ras-MAPK pathway: the Mek inhibitors]

Bull Cancer. 2012 Sep;99(9):865-74. doi: 10.1684/bdc.2012.1632.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk pathway is a key component of tumor progression and modulates proliferation, survival, differentiation and angiogenesis. Hyperactivation of this pathway is highly implicated in tumorigenesis especially by gain of function mutation of Kras or Braf. Mek position at the end of the pathway seems to be a promising new therapeutic target in the Kras or Braf mutated cancers. In this review, we aimed at describing the Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk pathway, the new therapeutic approaches in solid tumors and their toxicities. However, there seems to be predictives factors of tumor responses to these new agents and mechanisms of resistance that we will tend to analyse.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Diarrhea / chemically induced
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / physiology
  • Eye Diseases / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • ras Proteins