2012 UALC
Steven Lin, MD, PhD
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Research Project:
Kras mutation targeting to enhance radiation response in non-small cell lung cancer
Summary:
Dr. Lin’s research is focused on improving treatment for a subset of non-small cell lung cancer patients with tumors harboring activating Kras mutations, representing approximately 30% of patients with no currently available targeted therapy. Preliminary data shows that treatment with the MEK inhibitor GSK1120212 (trametinib) can enhance radiation sensitivity selectively in Kras mutant cell lines. Dr. Lin and his team will investigate how the different genetic mutations found in tumors affects sensitivity to trametinib plus chemoradiation, and develop novel combination strategies and biomarkers of response. This work will provide crucial data for future clinical trials of chemoradiation plus trametinib in patients with Stage III Kras-mutated non-small cell lung cancers.