Background/Design: The clonal theory of cancer predicts that transformed cells within a
given tumor are derived from a single initiated precursor. Advancement of this precursor
through various stages of tumor development occurs with the further accumulation of
selective genetic and epigenetic lesions. Mammalianrasgenes are important constituents of
mitogenic signaling pathways, and when activated, they contribute to deregulated cellular
growth. Activatedrasgenes play important roles in the development of certain skin tumors …