After 40 years of research into the mutant genes found in the deadliest cancers, new drugs could finally be approved for patients

20% of all cancers harbour a mutation in one of the three RAS genes, KRAS, HRAS and NRAS. Of the three, KRAS is the most notorious, and is found in the deadliest cancers such as lung, colorectal and pancreatic.

In cells containing the mutant KRAS gene, a mutant KRAS protein is expressed which causes excessive cell growth, creating tumours.

Researchers found that nothing would bind to KRAS proteins, which are round and impenetrable. Drugs have nothing to latch on to, and so bounce off.

In the late 2000s, scientists became interested in a mutant KRAS protein called G12C. After five years of testing, a drug was discovered that could create a tiny groove on the protein surface, to attach and hold G12C.

20% of all cancers harbour a mutation in one of the three RAS genes, KRAS, HRAS and NRAS. Of the three, KRAS is the most notorious, and is found in the deadliest cancers such as lung, colorectal and pancreatic.

Researchers found that nothing would bind to KRAS proteins, which are round and impenetrable. Drugs have nothing to latch on to, and so bounce off.

In cells containing the mutant KRAS gene, a mutant KRAS protein is expressed which causes excessive cell growth, creating tumours.

In the late 2000s, scientists became interested in a mutant KRAS protein called G12C. After five years of testing, a drug was discovered that could create a tiny groove on the protein surface, to attach and hold G12C.