Figure 2.

Schematic representation of ERK1/2 signalling leading to multiple tumour responses in: (A) onset of tumour growth, resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy (dotted square), metastasis and tumour plasticity due to ERK-induced radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, often leading to selection of cancer stem cell (CSCs); (B) RAS/MEK/ERK inhibitor alone has limited benefit whereas followed by irradiation (IR) inhibits the mechanism of DNA repair and favours CSCs death with tumour regression.