Oncogenes Come of Age

Abstract

Mutations of proto-oncogenes are common events in the pathogenesis of cancers, as shown in a wide range of studies duringthe 30 years since the discovery of these genes. The benefits of novel therapies that target the products of mutant alleles inhuman cancers, and the demonstrated dependence of cancers in mouse models on continued expression of initiating oncogenes,are especially promising signs that revolutionary improvements in cancer care are possible. Full realization of thepromise of targeted therapies, however, will require better definitions of the genotypes of human cancers, new approaches tointerrupt the biochemical consequences of oncogenic mutations, and a greater understanding of drug resistance and tumorprogression. In this paper, we summarize recent efforts toward these goals in our laboratory and others.