KSR2 Promotes Self-Renewal and Clonogenicity of Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) tumors are heterogeneous, with a subpopulation of cells primed for tumor initiation. In this study, we show that kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (KSR2) promotes the self-renewal and clonogenicity of SCLC cells. KSR2 is a molecular scaffold that promotes Raf/MEK/ERK signaling.

KSR1 Mediates Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Tumor Initiation and Cisplatin Resistance.

Unlabelled: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 7%, with limited advances in first-line treatment over the past four decades. Tumor-initiating cells (TIC) contribute to resistance and relapse, a major impediment to SCLC treatment. In this study, we identify kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1), a molecular scaffold for the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling cascade, as a critical regulator of SCLC TIC formation and tumor initiation in vivo.

KSR1 mediates small-cell lung carcinoma tumor initiation and cisplatin resistance.

Unlabelled: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a dismal five-year survival rate of less than 7%, with limited advances in first line treatment over the past four decades. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) contribute to resistance and relapse, a major impediment to SCLC treatment. Here, we identify Kinase Suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1), a molecular scaffold for the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling cascade, as a critical regulator of SCLC TIC formation and tumor initiation .

SOS1 and KSR1 modulate MEK inhibitor responsiveness to target resistant cell populations based on PI3K and KRAS mutation status.

KRAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene. Targeted therapies have been developed against mediators of key downstream signaling pathways, predominantly components of the RAF/MEK/ERK kinase cascade. Unfortunately, single-agent efficacy of these agents is limited both by intrinsic and acquired resistance.