Recent progress in targeting the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway with inhibitors in cancer drug discovery

Since the discovery that activating mutations of the Ras GTPase were associated with 30% or more of human cancers, the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway has been the focus of intense drug discovery effort. Within the new class of molecularly targeted anti-cancer agents progressing through the late stages of clinical development, BAY 43-9006 and PD0325901 have shown considerable promise.