Occurrence of ras mutations in human lung cancer. Minireview

Abstract

Members of ras family of oncogenes, when activated by a point mutation, have been implicated in many types of human cancers. In several types of human solid tumors, point mutations of the K-ras gene are relatively frequent. Among lung cancers, a subset of non-small cell lung carcinomas, mostly adenocarcinomas, contains activated K-ras. The examination of K-ras mutations in samples obtained for diagnostic reasons, such as bronchial biopsies or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, may be used as a supplement in the early diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.