Simona Cristea: The multi-facet process of resistance to KRAS inhibitors in pancreatic cancer

Simona Cristea, Head of Data Science at Hale Center for Pancreatic Cancer, shared a post by Anirban Maitra on X, adding the following:

“Incredibly proud to be part of this really innovative & timely study looking at the multi-facet process of resistance to KRAS inhibitors in pancreatic cancer.

KRAS inhibition is (one of) the most promising avenues in pancreatic cancer today & our hopes are high.”

Quoting Anirban Maitra’s post:

“BIG KRAS day today at Cancer Discovery!!

First study led by Andrew Aguirre, Julien Dilly and colleagues at Hale Family Center For Pancreatic Cancer Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Koch Institute at MIT.

Mechanisms of resistance to oncogenic KRAS inhibition in Pancreatic Cancer.

In this study that encompasses clinical trial samples from Mirati (now BMS), patient-derived organoids, PDX models and autochthonous mice, the team teases out genomic and non-genomic mechanisms of resistance to KRAS inhibitors. One important finding is that mesenchymal and basal-like cell states in pancreatic cancer display increased response to KRAS inhibition compared to the classical state, suggesting the rationale of combining chemotherapy (which hits the classical states) in conjunction with KRAS inhibition.

Thanks to Break Through Cancer for the support!”

Source: Simona Cristea/X and Anriban Maitra/X

Dr. Anriban Maitra serves as Professor of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center since August 2013, and directs the Sheikh Ahmed Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.

He leads an NCI-funded laboratory dedicated to pancreatic cancer research, focusing on genetics and molecular pathology in human and mouse models. His research aims to advance early detection and interception strategies to enhance patient survival rates in pancreatic cancer.