KRAS is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called K-Ras, which is part of the RAS/MAPK pathway. The protein relays signals from outside the cell to the cells nucleus, instructing the cell to grow and divide or to mature and take on specialized functions. KRAS is an oncogene, which means that when mutated, it has the potential to cause normal cells to become cancerous. KRAS mutations are involved in the development of several types of cancer, particularly pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

Some key points about KRAS include:

• Normal Function: KRAS serves as an on-off switch that regulates cell growth by binding a KRAS-activating molecule called GTP.
• Mutations: KRAS mutations are somatic, which means they are acquired during a persons lifetime and are present only in tumor cells. Mutations in KRAS can cause the protein to signal too much, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.
• Health Conditions: Mutations in KRAS have been associated with several types of cancer, including lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
• Testing: Physicians can look for KRAS mutations in non-small cell lung cancer patients through comprehensive biomarker testing.

Research is ongoing to develop treatments for KRAS-mutated cancers. In the past, KRAS was considered "undruggable," but recent research has identified potential targets for treatment.