Yan Ming Ching

Yan Ming Ching

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Yan Ming Ching

Institute of Pathology, Charité – University Medical Center Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 August 2026 in bioRxiv
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YCYan Ming Ching
Yan Ming Ching
SNShruthi Narayanan
Shruthi Narayanan
JKJeffrey A. Klomp
Jeffrey A. Klomp
TITamara Isermann
Tamara Isermann
SLSina Loewe
Sina Loewe
BPBjoern Papke
Bjoern Papke
Resistance limits the clinical efficacy of RAS inhibitors. We applied chemical and genetic screens and identified the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase as a driver of resistance to RAS-ERK inhibition. We determined that combination treatment with the AXL inhibitor bemcentinib (AXLi) together with the RAS(ON) multi-selective tri-complex inhibitor RMC-7977 (RASi) or the ERK-selective inhibitor SCH772984 (ERKi) significantly enhanced growth suppression in human KRAS -mutant pancreatic and lung cancer models. Combined AXLi and RASi treatment of human KRAS -mutant pancreatic cell line−derived xenograft tumors synergistically suppressed ERK activation and MYC expression, and caused tumor regression. Analyses of immunocompetent mouse allograft pancreatic tumor models revealed a largely tumor cell−intrinsic response to inhibitor treatment. We identified an unexpected mechanism whereby KRAS inhibition upregulated the AXL ligand GAS6, activating AXL but inducing an AXL-dependent adaptive resistance mechanism wherein AXL antagonizes RASi efficacy. Our observations support concurrent AXL inhibition as a strategy to enhance RAS inhibitor clinical efficacy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings identify AXL as a driver of resistance to RAS inhibitors, establishing a combination strategy to overcome resistance and enhance RAS inhibitor therapeutic efficacy in KRAS -mutant cancer by maximally inhibiting oncogenic RAS signaling.