Project Purple Podcast Episode 330 - Andrew Waters, PhD on KRAS Breakthroughs and Future Treatments by Project Purple Podcast

Joining the Project Purple Podcast is Andrew Waters, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medical Surgical Oncology at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Waters joins host Dino Verrelli to discuss his lab’s recent research recovery grant from Project Purple and his journey into pancreatic cancer research.

Dr. Waters discusses the critical role of KRAS mutations that are found in about 93-94% of pancreatic cancer cases. KRAS and RAS-targeted therapies have evolved from being considered “undruggable” to becoming one of the most exciting and progressive areas in cancer treatment.

Recent clinical breakthroughs include promising results from RevMed’s investigational drug Daraxonrasib, which targets multiple KRAS mutations and has demonstrated early trial outcomes.

We learn about the challenges that remain in pancreatic cancer research, including complex FDA approvals and access to use. Dr. Waters highlights his lab’s research into how pancreatic cancer cells develop resistance to KRAS inhibitors by leveraging related proteins such as HRAS. NRAS and MRAS. Understanding these mechanisms could help researchers develop therapies and improve treatment durability and patient outcomes.

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You can learn more about Waters lab at https://med.uc.edu/depart/cancer-biology/labs/waters-laboratory.

To learn more or donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, visit projectpurple.org.