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A pan-KRAS inhibitor and its derived degrader elicit multifaceted anti-tumor efficacy in KRAS-driven cancers

  • Juanjuan Feng
  • , Xuanzheng Xiao
  • , Xinting Xia
  • , Jian Min
  • , Weiying Tang
  • , Xinyi Shi
  • , Ke Xu
  • , Guizhen Zhou
  • , Kangkang Li
  • , Panpan Shen
  • , Rujuan Bao
  • , Shuyao Wu
  • , Mengjia Lin
  • , Kun Yuan
  • , Zhengke Lian
  • , Longmiao Hu
  • , Na Li
  • , Zhengzhen Wu
  • , Xiaotong Zhai
  • , Xiaogu Liu
  • Kewen Hu, Jun Wu, Chunyong Ding, Huixin Zhao, Xinqi Gong, Sulin Zhang, Jianping Jin, Dali Li, Mingyao Liu, Youqiong Ye, Buyong Ma, Rey Ting Guo*, Ao Zhang*, Xiufeng Pang*
*Corresponding author for this work
  • East China Normal University
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • Hubei University
  • CAS - Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica
  • Zhejiang University
  • Southern Medical University
  • Fudan University
  • Xinjiang Normal University
  • Renmin University of China
  • Hangzhou Normal University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

KRAS remains a challenging therapeutic target with limited effective inhibitors currently available. Here, we report the discovery of MCB-294, a potent dual-state pan-KRAS inhibitor capable of binding both the active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) forms of KRAS. MCB-294 engages the switch-II pocket through a water-mediated hydrogen-bond network and selectively inhibits KRAS over NRAS and HRAS. It effectively suppresses oncogenic KRAS signaling, inhibits the growth of KRAS-dependent cancer cells and patient-derived organoids, and reduces tumor progression in multiple preclinical models. MCB-294 also demonstrates superior activity compared to the inactive-state selective pan-KRAS inhibitor Bl-2865 and the KRASG12D inhibitor MRTX1133. Building upon MCB-294 as a pan-KRAS-targeting warhead, we further develop MCB-36, a von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-recruiting pan-KRAS degrader that induces sustained KRAS degradation. Notably, both MCB-294 and MCB-36 effectively suppress KRASG12C inhibitor-resistant cancer cells and remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. These findings highlight a promising therapeutic strategy for broadly targeting KRAS-driven tumors and overcoming drug resistance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1866-1884.e12
JournalCancer Cell
Volume43
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Oct 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • KRAS
  • KRAS signaling
  • cancer therapeutics
  • degrader
  • immune evasion
  • oncogenic KRAS
  • pan-KRAS inhibitor
  • targeted protein degradation
  • therapy resistance
  • tumor immune microenvironment

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