Achilles heel found for previously “undruggable” cancer gene

An “undruggable” cancer gene which has evaded treatment for 30 years could finally be conquered following a breakthrough by US scientists.

K-Ras is the most commonly mutated gene found in human cancers but despite decades of research scientists have been unable to design a drug which targets it.

Now the possibility of new therapies is on the horizon after researchers identified an “Achilles’ heel” which could allow drugs to block mutant K-Ras proteins while leaving normal, healthy proteins unharmed.