Kevan Shokat, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, at the University of California, San Francisco, and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for discovering a method to inhibit the mutant KRAS protein – a common driver of the growth of lung cancer as well as colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Speaks about Kevan Shokat Ph.D. To Be Awarded The First SWCRF Breakthrough Science Award.
Link to Article:
https://www.waxmancancer.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/kevan-shokat-ph-d-to-be-awarded-the-first-swcrf-breakthrough-science-award/
Dr. Kevan Shokat, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco, and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will receive the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s first SWCRF Breakthrough Science Award for discovering a method to inhibit the mutant KRAS protein, which is a common driver of lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer growth. His results led to the development of a novel FDA-approved drug that decreases lung cancer tumors by up to 50% while posing minimal harm.
KRAS has been known for more than 40 years, but researchers had given up hope of finding a molecule that might turn it off, dubbing it “undruggable” or cancer’s “Death Star.” However, in 2008, SWCRF made its first investment in Kevan Shokat, PhD.’s groundbreaking research into compounds that may adhere to the mutant protein and block it from working. Dr. Shokat published findings five years later indicating the discovery of a chemical that efficiently targeted cancer cells, leading to the development of new treatments.
Dr. Shokat will receive the SWCRF Breakthrough Science Award at the 24th Annual Collaborating for a Cure Gala, which benefits the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. Debra Waller, Chairman, and CEO of Jockey International, Inc., will be a fellow honoree at the event, which will take place in the evening on Thursday, November 18th. For more information on the event visit www.waxmancancer.org/gala.