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Mechanistic Basis for ERK in driving KRAS-dependent pancreatic cancer

Award Number: R00CA276700
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2027

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Mechanistic Basis for ERK in driving KRAS-dependent pancreatic cancer - Project Summary/Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, is characterized by a 95% rate of mutational activation of the KRAS oncogene. After nearly four decades of failure, the recent clinical approval of a direct KRAS inhibitor targeting one KRAS mutation (G12C) for lung cancer marks a significant milestone in the development of therapies for KRAS-mutant cancers. KRASG12C-specific inhibitors have demonstrated dramatic tumor shrinkage in a subset of KRASG12C-mutant patients but essentially all relapse due to treatment-induced acquired resistance. Genetic analyses of relapsed patients have identified mechanisms of resistance, with a majority involving mutational activation of signaling components that drive reactivation of the key KRAS effector pathway, the three-tiered RAF-MEK-ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Thus, ERK reactivation will limit the long-term efficacy of direct KRAS inhibitors. Despite the highly successful development of potent and selective inhibitors of each node of the ERK MAPK cascade, when used as monotherapy, they have shown little to no clinical efficacy against RAS-mutant cancers. Two key issues have contributed to this outcome, toxicity for normal tissues and de novo or treatment-induced acquired resistance in cancer cells. I propose that further delineation of the mechanisms by which ERK drives KRAS-dependent cancer growth will guide the development of more effective anti-ERK therapies. However, the mechanisms by which ERK drives PDAC growth remain poorly understood. One major unresolved issue is how ERK activity in different subcellular compartments supports cancer growth. Aim 1 studies comprise my K99 phase of training where I will take two complementary approaches to gain a better understanding of the role of cytoplasmic and nuclear ERK activity in supporting KRAS-dependent PDAC growth. First, I will determine the capacity of cytoplasmic versus nuclear ERK activity in supporting the growth of KRAS-mutant PDAC. Second, I will use a pharmacological inhibitor of the nuclear export protein exportin-1 (Selinexor) to determine whether it disrupts ERK cytoplasmic- nuclear dynamics and sensitizes PDAC models to KRAS inhibition. My Aim 2 studies comprise my R00- supported independent research and are based on our comprehensive ERK-dependent phosphoproteome/ transcriptome studies in KRAS-mutant PDAC. Using these data, I designed a CRISPR-Cas9 genetic loss-of- function screen library, targeting ERK regulated phosphoproteins and/or transcripts. I will now perform a system- wide determination of how ERK contributes to PDAC tumorigenesis as well as identify new ERK dependent targets to combine with KRAS inhibitors. To help me achieve these research goals and successfully transition to the independent phase I have an exceptional mentoring committee comprised of leading researchers in the study of KRAS signaling and therapeutics (Channing Der), in ERK spatiotemporal signaling (Jin Zhang), and ERK substrate utilization (John Blenis). With their guidance I am confident that I will successfully transition to establish an independent research program where I will advance our knowledge on ERK signaling and therapeutics.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $141,945 )
2026	2026	HENRY FORD HEALTH + MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	426 AUDITORIUM RD	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	4	12/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$141,945
														Subtotal = $141,945

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $249,000 )
2025	2025	HENRY FORD HEALTH + MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	426 AUDITORIUM RD	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Cancer Biology Research	003	3	7/29/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$249,000
2025	2025	HENRY FORD HEALTH + MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	426 AUDITORIUM RD	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	3	11/27/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$224,100
2025	2025	HENRY FORD HEALTH + MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	426 AUDITORIUM RD	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Cancer Biology Research	002	3	7/2/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$249,000
2025	2025	HENRY FORD HEALTH + MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	426 AUDITORIUM RD	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	3	6/2/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$24,900
														Subtotal = $249,000

Grand Total All Awards = $390,945

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Mechanistic Basis for ERK in driving KRAS-dependent pancreatic cancer

Award Number: R00CA276700

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2027

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