Grant: Project Grant

Pancreatic and lung cancers are among the deadliest cancers in Canada and worldwide. A major reason for their poor outcomes is the high frequency of mutations in a group of genes called RAS, which normally regulate how cells grow and divide. When mutated, RAS genes act like a jammed accelerator, driving relentless tumour growth and spread. In pancreatic cancer, more than 9 out of 10 tumours carry mutations in the KRAS gene. Despite decades of research, few effective treatments exist, and most patients die because their cancer spreads to other organs. Our team has developed powerful tools to map how mutant RAS proteins interact with other molecules inside the cell. This approach has uncovered two "helper" proteins that cancers appear to rely on. The first, FARP1, reorganizes the internal skeleton of cancer cells, enabling them to move and invade new tissues-a key step in metastasis. The second, DOCK5, is essential for the growth of KRAS-driven cancers, including pancreatic and lung tumours. In this project, we will investigate how FARP1 enables RAS-mutant cancers to spread and how DOCK5 sustains their growth. By pinpointing these weak spots, we aim to open the door to new therapies that block the cancer's ability to grow or metastasize. Our long-term vision is to translate these discoveries into innovative treatment strategies, offering fresh hope to patients and families facing these devastating diseases.