Oncology

We have developed a gene repression application (“T-LOCK”) for the selective repression of mutant KRAS forms. KRAS mutations are key drivers of various forms of cancer (e.g. pancreas cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer) that are currently difficult to treat. Often these cells have a mutation at codon 12 or 13 of their KRAS gene. Such mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of these cells and also they can locally suppress the body’s cancer immune surveillance system. T-LOCK can be used to suppress KRAS specifically. We are working on developing variants to repress mutant KRAS genes, while minimally impacting normal KRAS. This is important, as normal KRAS is needed for cellular health in normal cells.