Ras is best known for the ability of regulating cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Mutations in Ras are associated with abnormal cell proliferation, resulting in the incidence of all human cancers. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are the most well described pathways in carcinogenesis, which has been i-dentified as a key downstream effector in Ras signaling as well as playing important roles in prognosis of tumors. Recently, evidence has gradually accumulated to demonstrate that mutation in Ras or aberrant expression of MAPK has profound effects on the incidence of esophageal carcinoma, and applications of some chemotherapeutic drugs can not lead to the expectant function. Further understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms of Ras-MAPK signaling pathways will be helpful for development of efficient targeting therapeutic approaches to the treatment of esophageal cancer. In this article, the advances of Ras-MAPK signaling pathways in esophageal carcinoma are reviewed.
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