John MacLeod Poses with a Smile

‘Cracking the Nut’ on RAS Mutations

Scientists have spent 35 years seeking ways to disable RAS, a gene that’s mutated in many cancer types. Now, they’re moving closer to solutions. An article by  TARA HAELLE PUBLISHED August 03, 2018 The fact that JOHN MACLEOD'S colorectal cancer expresses a RAS gene mutation has limited his treatment options. - PHOTO BY KONNOR J … Continue reading ‘Cracking the Nut’ on RAS Mutations

Der Lab gather outside for the Purple Stride Run

PurpleStride Raleigh-Durham 2018: Running RAScals

UNC's Running RAScals (aka the Der Lab at UNC Lineberger & Friends) participated in this year’s PanCAN #PurpleStride run on Saturday, April 21st.  This 5k run raises money to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  The team, organized by Kirsten Bryant, raised $10,839 to support Pancreatic Cancer Research, coming in Fifth in overall fundraising! This was the Der Lab's fifth … Continue reading PurpleStride Raleigh-Durham 2018: Running RAScals

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News radio 680 WPTF on Pancreatic Cancer

Rick and Donna Martinez have a morning live interview show featuring conversations with community personalities and leaders about issues that impact you.  We are happy to share the March 1, 2018 radio podcast with our own Pancreatic Cancer Experts Channing Der, PhD and Kirsten Bryant, PhD. This interview discusses common perceptions of Pancreatic Cancer; Symptoms … Continue reading News radio 680 WPTF on Pancreatic Cancer

K.R.A.S mutation

NPR Focuses on One of the Biggest Challenges in Pancreatic Cancer: KRAS

This article was posted on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on March 9, 2018 by Allison Rosenweig, PhD. KRAS protein structure, reproduced with permission from NCI, FNLCR About 95 percent of pancreatic cancer cases – and around 30 percent of all human cancers – have a mutation in a gene called RAS. The resulting mutated … Continue reading NPR Focuses on One of the Biggest Challenges in Pancreatic Cancer: KRAS

Dr. Channing Der smiles for the camera.

Merck’s ERK inhibitor shows promise in combo against resistant cancers

by Amirah Al Idrus | Feb 22, 2018  fiercebiotech.com One-fifth of patients in a phase 1 study responded to an investigational ERK inhibitor from Merck, bolstering hopes that this type of drug could be used effectively in combination with other cancer drugs. ERK is a cell signal that is believed to drive the growth of … Continue reading Merck’s ERK inhibitor shows promise in combo against resistant cancers