Insights into RAS-driven melanoma and its therapeutic implications. (PubMed, Cancer Treat Rev)
Ongoing combination strategies include MEK inhibition with type II RAF inhibitors (naporafenib plus trametinib in phase III trial), ERK1/2 or ERK5 inhibitors, PI3K/mTOR pathway blockade, or CDK4/6 inhibition. Additional investigational approaches include mutation-specific RAS inhibitors (G12C inhibitors already approved for other cancers), NRAS-specific or pan-RAS inhibitors (daraxonrasib in phase III trial for other cancers), targeted protein degradation, RAS-directed peptide and mRNA vaccines (mRNA-4157). NRAS Q61K-derived neoepitopes bound to HLA-A*01:01 have been recognized as immunogenic, suggesting that mutation-specific immunotherapies could represent a promising future strategy. In conclusion, the advent of promising and emerging therapies is set to transform the management of RAS-driven melanoma, making a personalized, biomarker-informed treatment strategy essential for optimizing patient outcomes.