Michael Kim, MD, Discusses Study on Mutant p53 and Oncogenic KRAS in Pancreatic Cancer

Video

The MD Anderson expert discussed the main takeaway from the data published during the virtual AACR Annual Meeting, while looking forward to what comes next with these genetic drivers.

Michael Kim, MD, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, spoke with CancerNetwork about the main takeaways and potential action regarding mutant p53 and oncogenic KRAS in pancreatic cancer to be taken from his research presented at the virtual AACR Annual Meeting.

Transcription:

Targeting genetic drivers of cancer has proven to be very successful. For example, in melanoma and in certain types of hematopoietic malignancies (leukemias and GI stromal tumors), we know that targeting genetic drivers can be very effective. But we don't have any therapies that target oncogenic KRAS that's prevalent in pancreatic cancer. And we have no therapies that target mutant p53. Since these are the heart and brain of pancreatic cancer, we need to find novel ways to target these. One way is to identify how they work together and attack that cooperative signaling node somewhat like dividing and conquering.

So, if we can disentangle or decouple oncogenic KRAS from mutant p53, our hope is that we can prevent or highly disrupt metastasis. And then we can use other targeted, or potentially immunotherapies, to kill the actual tumor cells. So, it's really kind of identifying CREB1 is the link between oncogenic KRAS effectors and mutant p53 gain of function. And then using other drugs in our armamentarium to target the tumor cells themselves.

Recent Videos
Combining renal vaccines with immune therapy may better target tumor cells while limiting harm to healthy tissue, according to David A. Braun, MD, PhD.
Improving data collection and biomarker development across institutions may represent areas of expansion in kidney cancer research.
KIM-1 is a biomarker in the blood that may help noninvasively detect kidney cancer, according to Wenxin (Vincent) Xu, MD.
A phase 0 trial is seeking to assess the feasibility of aiding anti-cancer cells with cytokines to restore their function.
Although pembrolizumab addressed a long-standing need in adjuvant kidney cancer treatment, combinations with the agent may further bolster efficacy.
“The trial will be successful, or [we’ll] declare it a success if we see at least 3 of 24 responses overall,” stated Ravi, MD, BChir, MRCP, on the phase 2 LASER trial in RCC.
Success with the 177Lu-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy would be transformative for the clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment landscape.
An ongoing phase 1 trial seeks to prove XmAb819 as an effective treatment and ENPP3 as a plausible target in patients with relapsed or refractory RCC.
“The therapy is designed to prevent both CAR T-cell inactivation and to restore the anti-tumor immunity of the white blood cells that have gotten through the tumor,” said Marasco, MD, PhD.
Ongoing studies aim to combine base immunotherapy regimens with novel agents to potentially improve outcomes among patients with kidney cancer.
Related Content