Targeting KRAS Driven Pancreatic Cancer: A Reality after 40 Years

Speaker

Mariano Barbacid, PhD
—

• Group Leader of Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program

• Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain

• Pioneer in Cancer Research and Discoverer of the First Human Oncogene - HRAS

In this Webinar, You Will Learn:

• KRAS mutations as the key driver of pancreatic cancer with limited treatment success.
• Triple-target strategy achieves complete, lasting tumor regression in models.
• How new drug combinations transform PDAC therapy.

About this Webinar:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers due to late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and resistance to current therapies. Although KRAS mutations drive over 90% of PDAC cases, direct targeting of KRAS has long been considered unfeasible. Recent breakthroughs led to the development of KRAS inhibitors such as sotorasib, yet clinical benefits remain modest due to rapid resistance. Using genetically engineered mouse models and pharmacological validation, Mariano Barbacid’s team demonstrated that simultaneous inhibition of KRAS (RMC-6236), EGFR (afatinib), and STAT3 (SD36) achieved complete and durable tumor regression without relapse in mice and patient-derived xenografts. These findings highlight the potential of multi-node targeting strategies in overcoming KRAS-driven resistance and advancing therapeutic approaches for PDAC, although tolerability and pharmacokinetic challenges remain to be addressed.

A recording of the webinar will be shared to all registrants.
Participants can request a webinar certificate by contacting Marketing@medchemexpress.com

About Prof. Mariano Barbacid:

Mariano Barbacid, PhD, is a trailblazer in cancer research, best known for isolating the first human oncogene, H-Ras. His work has illuminated the role of Ras oncogenes in ~20% of human cancers, including lung and pancreatic carcinomas.

Prof. Barbacid conducted most of his research in the United States until 1998, when he returned to Spain to establish the new Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO). As the founding director until 2011, he assembled a world-class team of scientists and transformed CNIO into one of Europe’s premier cancer research centers within a decade.

Prof. Barbacid continues to lead cutting-edge research in Ras-driven cancers, using sophisticated genetically engineered mouse models. His goal remains clear: to validate new molecular targets and develop therapeutic strategies that can ultimately improve patient outcomes in clinical settings.

Learn More About Prof. Mariano Barbacid ‘s research:
https://barbacidlab.es/

Recent Publications

[1]. Kras oncogene ablation prevents resistance in advanced lung adenocarcinomas. J Clin Invest. 2023 Apr 3;133(7):e164413. [Content Brief]

[2]. Structure of the RAF1-HSP90-CDC37 complex reveals the basis of RAF1 regulation. Mol Cell. 2022 Sep 15;82(18):3438-3452.e8. [Content Brief]

[3]. Targeting the MAPK Pathway in KRAS-Driven Tumors. Cancer Cell. 2020 Apr 13;37(4):543-550. [Content Brief]

[4]. RAF1 kinase activity is dispensable for KRAS/p53 mutant lung tumor progression. Cancer Cell. 2021 Mar 8;39(3):294-296. [Content Brief]

[5]. Complete Regression of Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas upon Combined Inhibition of EGFR and C-RAF. Cancer Cell. 2019 Apr 15;35(4):573-587.e6. [Content Brief]

[6]. c-RAF Ablation Induces Regression of Advanced Kras/Trp53 Mutant Lung Adenocarcinomas by a Mechanism Independent of MAPK Signaling. Cancer Cell. 2018 Feb 12;33(2):217-228.e4. [Content Brief]

[7]. Loss of p53 induces cell proliferation via Ras-independent activation of the Raf/Mek/Erk signaling pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Oct 21;111(42):15155-60. [Content Brief]