title: Gene of the month: KIT.
abstract: Deranged pathway activation and KIT mutations occur in numerous solid and haematological malignancies, with gain-of-function mutations being the most common demonstrable abnormality. Through a complex series of interactions, activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase leads to cell survival, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis, dysregulated cell cycle control and promotion of tumourigenesis. The KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is a well-studied therapeutic target in human malignancies. The KIT mutational status of a neoplasm plays an important role in predicting the response to targeted therapies. In this article we outline the structure, function and mutations of the KIT gene, its role in various neoplasms, therapeutic impacts and the role that these play in clinical patient outcome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Anatomical Pathology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Riyaadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Division of Anatomical Pathology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Dhirendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Govender
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
keywords: CANCER; CANCER GENETICS; ONCOGENES; c-kit expression