The role of KRAS in the emergence of drug tolerance in lung cancer, Research projects available, Department of Pathology

A postgraduate research opportunity at the University of Otago.

Details

Close date: No date set
Academic background: Health Sciences, Sciences
Host campus: Dunedin
Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma, Master's, Honours
Department: Pathology (Dunedin)
Supervisor: Dr Glen Reid, Dr Cath Drummond

Overview

Mutant forms of the oncogene KRAS are common drivers of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

Recently, sotorasib and adagrasib – targeted agents that specifically inhibit the KRASG12C mutant – have been approved for treating patients. Unfortunately, while many respond to this therapy, resistance invariably occurs.

This project will investigate how variable KRAS expression levels in different subpopulations of NSCLC cells contribute to their initial survival when treated with KRAS inhibitors.