Highlights from the 5th RAS Initiative Symposium

The Fifth RAS Initiative Symposium took place from October 8 to 10, 2024, at the Advanced Technology Research Facility (ATRF) in Frederick, Maryland.

This international symposium was organized by key figures from the Frederick National Laboratory and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), including Dwight Nissley, Tommy Turbyville, Frank McCormick, and Christopher Kane. The event aimed to unite researchers from government, academia, and industry to enhance collaboration in understanding and targeting cancers driven by mutant RAS genes.

The symposium featured a variety of presentations, including invited talks and selected abstracts, focusing on the latest advancements in RAS research. A notable highlight was the mini-symposium on ‘Targeting RAS in Pediatrics,’ which followed the main event.

Here are some highlights from the event:

Margaret Foti:

“I am excited for the next three days of NCI’s RAS Initiative Symposium 2024. Today, NCI Director Kimryn Rathmell and AACR Past President Frank McCormick kicked off this important meeting aimed at mobilizing the cancer research community to target RAS-driven cancers.”

Santiago Borrego:

“Re-encounter with my loved colleagues from Ambrogio Lab at the RAS Initiative Symposium, Frederick National Laboratory. Years later and we’re still obsessed with KRas.”

Ethan Dmitrovsky:

“We just concluded the 5th RAS Initiative Symposium that brought to the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research more than 500 experts in this field. This showcased the latest discoveries in RAS biology and therapy. Decades of scientific discovery yielded promising drugs that disrupt RAS’s oncogenic signals.

This should better the lives of cancer sufferers whose tumors depend on RAS mutations. The National Cancer Institute’s RAS Initiative is led by Drs. Frank McCormick (pictured on the right) and Dwight Nissley (shown on the left).

They and the co-organizers of this Symposium served the RAS community by bringing them together to learn from each other. This collaborative event should advance scientific innovations. This gives hope to those dealing with RAS-driven cancers.”

Andy Stephen:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Terri Conneran, at the 5th RAS Initiative Symposium. Terri started the KRAS Knickers, a patient advocacy group to help those diagnosed with KRAS driven cancers. Check out KRASkickers.org.”

Sandra Misale:

“Another amazing day at the RAS initiative Symposium NCI. Thankful for the amazing feedback and for my amazing team!”

Santiago Borrego:

“Proud of Sandra Misale’s achievements and work, presented today at RAS Initiative Symposium.

Amazing projects from this group are coming!”

Chase Hutchins:

“Had an excellent time at the 5th Ras Initiative Symposium at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
With Junchen Liu, Yong Zhou, Alemayehu Gorfe and Abe Sianoya.”

Sara Raji:

“Thrilled to have participated in the National Cancer Institute (NCI), The Fifth RAS Initiative Symposium at Frederick and presented my poster on pancreatic cancer and KRAS research!”

David Hong:

“The last day of the 5th RAS Initiative Symposium! What a great meeting! Ending here with 3 out the 5 Godfathers of RAS-missing R.Weinberg and F.Mcormick.”

Margaret Foti:

“It is always inspiring to hear AACR Fellows and former AACR Board Member Mariano Barbacid, PhD, a pioneer in RAS research, share his insights on the latest science at this exciting time in this area during NCI’s RAS Initiative Symposium 2024.”

Ethan Dmitrovsky:

“It was an honor to have AACR CEO Dr. Margaret Foti join us at the 5th RAS Initiative Symposium held at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.

More than 500 attendees heard from Dr. Foti and others about the impressive science that has led to the development of RAS inhibitors that are making a real difference in the lives of cancer sufferers whose tumors harbor specific RAS mutations. Thank you, Dr. Foti, for joining us.”

Santiago Borrego:

“I am really grateful to have the opportunity to attend the first symposium (Ras Initiative) as a member of Sandra Misale lab at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. I have presented a poster related to our NF1-null melanoma project: ‘Concomitant SOS1 and MEK suppression inhibits signaling and growth of NF1-null melanoma’.

Amazing experience to learn from all RAS experts around the world and to establish a good network and collaborations.”