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Kudo M, Morimoto M, Moriguchi M, Izumi N, Takayama T, Yoshiji H, Hino K, Oikawa T, Chiba T, Motomura K, Kato J, Yasuchika K, Ido A, Sato T, Nakashima D, Ueshima K, Ikeda M, Okusaka T, Tamura K, Furuse J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study of tivantinib in Japanese patients with MET-high hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3759-3769. [PMID: 32716114 PMCID: PMC7541009 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous randomized phase 2 study of hepatocellular carcinoma revealed that the c‐Met inhibitor tivantinib as second‐line treatment significantly prolonged progression‐free survival in a subpopulation whose tumor samples highly expressed c‐Met (MET‐high). Accordingly, this phase 3 study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of tivantinib as a second‐line treatment for Japanese patients with MET‐high hepatocellular carcinoma. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was conducted at 60 centers in Japan. Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with one prior sorafenib treatment and those with MET‐high tumor samples were eligible for inclusion. Registered patients were randomly assigned to either the tivantinib or placebo group at a 2:1 ratio and were treated with twice‐a‐day oral tivantinib (120 mg bid) or placebo until the discontinuation criteria were met. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival while the secondary endpoints included overall survival and safety. Between January 2014 and June 2016, 386 patients provided consent, and 195 patients were randomized to the tivantinib (n = 134) or placebo (n = 61) group. Median progression‐free survival was 2.8 (95% confidence interval: 2.7‐2.9) and 2.3 (1.5‐2.8) mo in the tivantinib and placebo groups, respectively (hazard ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval: 0.52‐1.04, P = .082). Median overall survival was 10.3 (95% confidence interval: 8.1‐11.6) and 8.5 (6.2‐11.4) mo in the tivantinib and placebo group, respectively (hazard ratio = 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.58‐1.15). The most common tivantinib‐related grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (31.6%), leukocytopenia (24.8%), and anemia (12.0%). This study did not confirm the significant efficacy of tivantinib as a second‐line treatment for Japanese patients with MET‐high hepatocellular carcinoma. (NCT02029157).
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Morimoto
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medical Oncology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Michihisa Moriguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Namiki Izumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Takayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yoshiji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hino
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Oikawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenta Motomura
- Department of Hepatology, Aso Iizuka Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junko Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yasuchika
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akio Ido
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takashi Sato
- R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Kazuomi Ueshima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Ikeda
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Takuji Okusaka
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tamura
- General Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junji Furuse
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
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Bylicki O, Paleiron N, Assié JB, Chouaïd C. Targeting the MET-Signaling Pathway in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Evidence to Date. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:5691-5706. [PMID: 32606781 PMCID: PMC7306460 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s219959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The c-MET proto-oncogene (MET) plays an important role in lung oncogenesis, affecting cancer-cell survival, growth and invasiveness. The MET receptor in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a potential therapeutic target. The development of high-output next-generation sequencing techniques has enabled better identification of anomalies in the MET pathway, like the MET exon-14 (METex14) mutation. Moreover, analyses of epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) and mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) demonstrated the importance of MET amplification as an escape mechanism in patients with TKI-treated EGFR-mutated NSCLCs. This review summarizes the laboratory findings on MET and its anomalies, trial results on METex14 alterations and MET amplification in non-EGFR mutated NSCLCs, and acquired resistance to TKI in EGFR-mutated NSCLCs. The outcomes of the first trials with anti-MET agents on non-selected NSCLC patients or those selected for MET overexpression were disappointing. Two situations seem the most promising today for the use of anti-MET agents to treat these patients: tumors harboring METex14 and those EGFR-sensitive mutation mutated under TKI-EGFR with a MET-amplification mechanism of resistance or EGFR-resistance mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Bylicki
- Respiratory Disease Unit, HIA Sainte Anne, Toulon, France
- University Paris–Est Créteil (UPEC), CEpiA (Clinical Epidemiology and Ageing), EA 7376- IMRB, UPEC, Créteil, France
| | | | - Jean-Baptiste Assié
- University Paris–Est Créteil (UPEC), CEpiA (Clinical Epidemiology and Ageing), EA 7376- IMRB, UPEC, Créteil, France
- Pneumology Department, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal De Créteil, Créteil, France
- Cordeliers Research Center, Inserm, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Sorbonne University, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Christos Chouaïd
- University Paris–Est Créteil (UPEC), CEpiA (Clinical Epidemiology and Ageing), EA 7376- IMRB, UPEC, Créteil, France
- Pneumology Department, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal De Créteil, Créteil, France
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3
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Li S, Moore AK, Zhu J, Li X, Zhou H, Lin J, He Y, Xing F, Pan Y, Bohler HC, Ding J, Cooney AJ, Lan Z, Lei Z. Ggnbp2 Is Essential for Pregnancy Success via Regulation of Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:41. [PMID: 26764350 PMCID: PMC4787627 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.136358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ggnbp2 null mutant embryos died in utero between Embryonic Days 13.5 to 15.5 with dysmorphic placentae, characterized by excessive nonvascular cell nests consisting of proliferative trophoblastic tissue and abundant trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) in the labyrinth. Lethality of Ggnbp2 null embryos was caused by insufficient placental perfusion as a result of remarkable decreases in both fetal and maternal blood vessels in the labyrinth. These defects were accompanied by a significant elevation of c-Met expression and phosphorylation and its downstream effector Stat3 activation. Knockdown of Ggnbp2 in wild-type TSCs in vitro provoked the proliferation but delayed the differentiation with an upregulation of c-Met expression and an enhanced phosphorylation of c-Met and Stat3. In contrast, overexpression of Ggnbp2 in wild-type TSCs exhibited completely opposite effects compared to knockdown TSCs. These results suggest that loss of GGNBP2 in the placenta aberrantly overactivates c-Met-Stat3 signaling, alters TSC proliferation and differentiation, and ultimately compromises the structure of placental vascular labyrinth. Our studies for the first time demonstrate that GGNBP2 is an essential factor for pregnancy success acting through the maintenance of a balance of TSC proliferation and differentiation during placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengqiang Li
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Andrew K Moore
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jia Zhu
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Xian Li
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Huaxin Zhou
- Birth Defects Center, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Yan He
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Fengying Xing
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Yangbin Pan
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Henry C Bohler
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jixiang Ding
- Birth Defects Center, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Austin J Cooney
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas
| | - Zijian Lan
- Division of Life Sciences and Center for Nutrigenomics & Applied Animal Nutrition, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, Kentucky
| | - Zhenmin Lei
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
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Zhen Q, Liu J, Gao L, Liu J, Wang R, Chu W, Zhang Y, Tan G, Zhao X, Lv B. MicroRNA-200a Targets EGFR and c-Met to Inhibit Migration, Invasion, and Gefitinib Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cytogenet Genome Res 2015; 146:1-8. [PMID: 26184032 DOI: 10.1159/000434741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the major cause of cancer death worldwide. Mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met), both of which are receptor tyrosine kinases, have been identified in a considerable percentage of NSCLC patients. EGFR and c-Met share the same downstream pathways and cooperate not only in promoting metastasis but also in conferring resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies in NSCLC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small non-coding RNAs, usually 21-25 nucleotides long, and are critical in regulating gene expression. Abnormal miRNA expression has been implicated in the initiation and progression in many forms of cancers, including lung cancer. In this study, we found that miR-200a is downregulated in NSCLC cells, where it directly targets the 3'-UTR of both EGFR and c-Met mRNA. Overexpression of miR-200a in NSCLC cells significantly downregulates both EGFR and c-Met levels and severely inhibits cell migration and invasion. Moreover, in NSCLC cell lines that are resistant to gefitinib, a drug often used in TKI therapies to treat NSCLC, miR-200a expression is able to render the cells much more sensitive to the drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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5
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Zhen Q, Liu JF, Liu JB, Wang RF, Chu WW, Zhang YX, Tan GL, Zhao XJ, Lv BL. Endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 confers TKI-resistance by mediating EGFR and MET pathways in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2015; 16:549-57. [PMID: 25831463 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2015.1016689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rendering it constitutively active is one of the major causes for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and EGFR-targeted therapies utilizing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are often used clinically as the first-line treatment. But approximately half of NSCLC patients develop resistance to these therapies, where the MET proto-oncogene is amplified by EGFR through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Here we report that endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 (EPAS1), with 48% sequence identity to HIF-1α, specifically binds to TKI-resistant T790M EGFR, but not to wild-type EGFR, in NSCLC cell lines. Expression of EPAS1 enhances amplification of MET when simultaneously expressed with T790M EGFR but not with wild-type EGFR, and this enhancement is independent of ligand binding domain of EGFR. MET amplification requires EPAS1, since EPAS1 knock-down reduced MET levels. When NSCLC cells expressing T790M EGFR were treated with TKIs, reduced EPAS1 levels significantly enhanced the drug effect, whereas over-expression of EPAS1 increased the drug resistant effect. This EPAS1-dependent TKI-resistance was abolished by knocking-down MET, suggesting that EPAS1 does not cause TKI-resistance itself but functions to bridge EGFR and MET interactions. Our findings suggest that EPAS1 is a key factor in the EGFR-MET crosstalk in conferring TKI-resistance in NSCLC cases, and could be used as a potential therapeutic target in TKI-resistant NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhen
- a Department of Thoracic Surgery; Shijiazhuang No.1 Hospital ; Shijiazhuang , Hebei Province , China
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An exploratory biomarker study in metastatic tumors from colorectal cancer patients treated with bevacizumab. Int J Biol Markers 2015; 30:e73-80. [PMID: 24980447 DOI: 10.5301/jbm.5000097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Inhibition of angiogenesis is an effective treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer. Predictive biomarkers to select patients who are most likely to benefit from this therapeutic strategy are lacking. We conducted a pilot, retrospective biomarker study in a cohort of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with bevacizumab. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prognostic value of biomarker expression in metastases and to compare their expression in paired tumor specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eligible patients were treated with a bevacizumab-containing therapy; from these patients, tumor tissue from metastases was available. PTEN, PI3K p110a, c-MET, and CAIX were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Forty-two patients received bevacizumab, 13 (31%) with first-line and 29 (69%) with second-line chemotherapy. Expression of CAIX, PI3K p110a, and c-MET in metastases did not predict objective response. PTEN loss was associated with response to treatment (p=0.02) and this association remained significant after adjusting for prognostic variables (p=0.006). However, no association with survival outcomes was found. In 32 patients (76%) with available paired specimens, we observed an equal expression between primary tumors and corresponding metastases in 75% of cases for CAIX in epithelial tumor cells, 56% for CAIX in stromal cells, 63% for PTEN, and 87% for c-MET. CONCLUSION PTEN loss in metastases appears to be associated with response to bevacizumab-based therapy. However, larger studies are necessary to confirm the potential role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in modulating the therapeutic effect of bevacizumab. Tumor heterogeneity should be taken into consideration when analyzing tumor tissues for biomarker studies.
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7
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Yamamoto N, Murakami H, Hayashi H, Fujisaka Y, Hirashima T, Takeda K, Satouchi M, Miyoshi K, Akinaga S, Takahashi T, Nakagawa K. CYP2C19 genotype-based phase I studies of a c-Met inhibitor tivantinib in combination with erlotinib, in advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 2013; 109:2803-9. [PMID: 24169346 PMCID: PMC3844902 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A previous clinical study in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in Western countries suggested the potential for combination of a first-in-class non-ATP-competitive c-Met inhibitor tivantinib with an epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib. Polymorphisms of CYP2C19, the key metabolic enzyme for tivantinib, should be addressed to translate the previous Western study to Asian population, because higher incidence of poor metabolisers (PMs) is reported in Asian population. Methods: Japanese patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC received tivantinib in combination with erlotinib to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics. Doses of tivantinib were escalated separately for extensive metabolisers (EMs) and PMs. Results: Tivantinib, when combined with erlotinib, was well tolerated up to 360 mg BID for EMs and 240 mg BID for PMs, respectively. Among 25 patients (16 EMs and 9 PMs), the adverse events (AEs) related to tivantinib and/or erlotinib (>20%, any grade) were rash, diarrhoea, dry skin and nausea. Grade ⩾3 AEs were leukopenia, anaemia and neutropenia. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Pharmacokinetics profile of tivantinib was not clearly different between the combination and monotherapy. Three partial response and three long-term stable disease (⩾24 weeks) were reported. Conclusion: Two doses of tivantinib in combination with erlotinib were recommended based on CYP2C19 genotype: 360 mg BID for EMs and 240 mg BID for PMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Yamamoto
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007, Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka 411-8777, Japan
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Wu W, Bi C, Credille KM, Manro JR, Peek VL, Donoho GP, Yan L, Wijsman JA, Yan SB, Walgren RA. Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer by LY2801653, an inhibitor of several oncokinases, including MET. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:5699-710. [PMID: 23989980 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-1758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Sustained activation, overexpression, or mutation of the MET pathway is associated with a poor prognosis in a variety of tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), implicating the MET pathway as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer. Previously, we reported on the development of LY2801653: a novel, orally bioavailable oncokinase inhibitor with MET as one of its targets. Here, we discuss the evaluation of LY2801653 in both preclinical in vitro and in vivo NSCLC models. Experimental Design/ RESULTS Treatment with LY2801653 showed tumor growth inhibition in tumor cell lines and patient-derived tumor xenograft models as a single agent (37.4%-90.0% inhibition) or when used in combination with cisplatin, gemcitabine, or erlotinib (66.5%-86.3% inhibition). Mechanistic studies showed that treatment with LY2801653 inhibited the constitutive activation of MET pathway signaling and resulted in inhibition of NCI-H441 cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration, and invasion. These in vitro findings were confirmed in the H441 orthotopic model where LY2801653 treatment significantly inhibited both primary tumor growth (87.9% inhibition) and metastasis (64.5% inhibition of lymph node and 67.7% inhibition of chest wall). Tumor-bearing animals treated with LY2801653 had a significantly greater survival time (87% increase compared with the vehicle-treated mice). In the MET-independent NCI-H1299 orthotopic model, treatment with LY2801653 showed a significant inhibition of primary tumor growth but not metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results support clinical evaluation of LY2801653 in NSCLCs and suggest that differences in the MET activation of tumors may be predictive of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Wu
- Authors' Affiliation: Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Feldman DR, Einhorn LH, Quinn DI, Loriot Y, Joffe JK, Vaughn DJ, Fléchon A, Hajdenberg J, Halim AB, Zahir H, Motzer RJ. A phase 2 multicenter study of tivantinib (ARQ 197) monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors. Invest New Drugs 2013; 31:1016-22. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-013-9934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Powers AD, Liu B, Lee AG, Palecek SP. Macroporous hydrogel micropillars for quantifying Met kinase activity in cancer cell lysates. Analyst 2012; 137:4052-61. [PMID: 22814332 PMCID: PMC3438145 DOI: 10.1039/c2an35464k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Overactive and overexpressed kinases have been implicated in the cause and progression of many cancers. Kinase inhibitors offer a targeted approach for treating cancers associated with increased or deregulated kinase activity. Often, however, cancer cells exhibit initial resistance to these inhibitors or evolve to develop resistance during treatment. Additionally, cancers of any one tissue type are typically heterogeneous in their oncogenesis mechanisms, and thus diagnosis of a particular type of cancer does not necessarily provide insight into what kinase therapies may be effective. For example, while some lung cancer cells that overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR) respond to treatment with EGFR kinase inhibitors, overexpression or hyperactivity of Met kinase correlates with resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors. Here we describe a microfluidic-based assay for quantifying Met kinase activity in cancer cell lysates with the eventual goals of predicting cancer cell responsiveness to kinase inhibitors and monitoring development of resistance to these inhibitors. In this assay, we immobilized a phosphorylation substrate for Met kinase into macroporous hydrogel micropillars. We then exposed the micropillars to a cancer cell lysate and detected substrate phosphorylation using a fluorescently conjugated antibody. This assay is able to quantify Met kinase activity in whole cell lysate from as few as 150 cancer cells. It can also detect cells expressing overactive Met kinase in a background of up to 75% non-cancerous cells. Additionally, the assay can quantify kinase inhibition by the Met-specific kinase inhibitors SU11274 and PHA665752, suggesting predictive capability for cellular response to kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D. Powers
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Bi Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Andrew G. Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Sean P. Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Feng Y, Ma PC. MET targeted therapy for lung cancer: clinical development and future directions. LUNG CANCER-TARGETS AND THERAPY 2012; 3:53-67. [PMID: 28210125 DOI: 10.2147/lctt.s23423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
MET, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, has been identified as a novel promising target in various human malignancies, including lung cancer. Research studies have demonstrated that MET signaling plays important physiologic roles in embryogenesis and early development, whereas its deregulation from an otherwise quiescent signaling state in mature adult tissues can lead to upregulated cell proliferation, survival, scattering, motility and migration, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The MET pathway can be activated through ligand (hepatocyte growth factor, HGF) or MET receptor overexpression, genomic amplification, MET mutations, and alternative splicing. A number of novel therapeutic agents that target the MET/hepatocyte growth factor pathway have been tested in early-phase clinical studies with promising results. Phase III studies of MET targeting agents have recently been initiated. This paper will review the MET signaling pathway and biology in lung cancer, and the recent clinical development and advances of MET/hepatocyte growth factor targeting agents. Emphasis will be placed on discussing various unanswered issues and key strategies needed to optimize further clinical development of MET targeting personalized lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Feng
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research; Solid Tumor Oncology
| | - Patrick C Ma
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research; Solid Tumor Oncology; Aerodigestive Oncology Translational Research, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Wagner AJ, Goldberg JM, DuBois SG, Choy E, Rosen L, Pappo A, Geller J, Judson I, Hogg D, Senzer N, Davis IJ, Chai F, Waghorne C, Schwartz B, Demetri GD. Tivantinib (ARQ 197), a selective inhibitor of MET, in patients with microphthalmia transcription factor-associated tumors. Cancer 2012; 118:5894-902. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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13
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Xu L, Nilsson MB, Saintigny P, Cascone T, Herynk MH, Du Z, Nikolinakos PG, Yang Y, Prudkin L, Liu D, Lee JJ, Johnson FM, Wong KK, Girard L, Gazdar AF, Minna JD, Kurie JM, Wistuba II, Heymach JV. Epidermal growth factor receptor regulates MET levels and invasiveness through hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Oncogene 2010; 29:2616-27. [PMID: 20154724 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have established that amplification of the MET proto-oncogene can cause resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines with EGFR-activating mutations. The role of non-amplified MET in EGFR-dependent signaling before TKI resistance, however, is not well understood. Using NSCLC cell lines and transgenic models, we demonstrate here that EGFR activation by either mutation or ligand binding increases MET gene expression and protein levels. Our analysis of 202 NSCLC patient specimens was consistent with these observations: levels of MET were significantly higher in NSCLC with EGFR mutations than in NSCLC with wild-type EGFR. EGFR regulation of MET levels in cell lines occurred through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha pathway in a hypoxia-independent manner. This regulation was lost, however, after MET gene amplification or overexpression of a constitutively active form of HIF-1alpha. EGFR- and hypoxia-induced invasiveness of NSCLC cells, but not cell survival, were found to be MET dependent. These findings establish that, absent MET amplification, EGFR signaling can regulate MET levels through HIF-1alpha and that MET is a key downstream mediator of EGFR-induced invasiveness in EGFR-dependent NSCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Xu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Kishi Y, Kuba K, Nakamura T, Wen J, Suzuki Y, Mizuno S, Nukiwa T, Matsumoto K, Nakamura T. Systemic NK4 gene therapy inhibits tumor growth and metastasis of melanoma and lung carcinoma in syngeneic mouse tumor models. Cancer Sci 2009; 100:1351-8. [PMID: 19438869 PMCID: PMC11159951 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2009] [Revised: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes malignant development of cancer cells by enhancing invasion and metastasis. NK4, a competitive antagonist for HGF, is a bifunctional molecule that acts as a HGF antagonist and angiogenesis inhibitor. Although successful tumor inhibition by NK4 gene expression in tumor models has been demonstrated, the effects of systemic NK4 gene introduction are yet to be addressed. Here we show that systemic administration of a replication-defective adenovirus expressing NK4 (Ad.NK4) inhibits tumor growth and lung metastasis of B16F10 melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma in syngeneic mice. Single tail-vein injection of Ad.NK4 achieved therapeutic levels of NK4 in the circulation and in multiple organs. Despite NK4 expression that was highest in the liver, toxicity in the liver was minimal. Ad.NK4-mediated growth inhibition was associated with decreased blood vessel density and increased apoptosis in tumor tissues, which suggests that NK4 suppressed tumor growth as an angiogenesis inhibitor. Metastasis of B16F10 melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma cells to the lung was potently inhibited by systemic Ad.NK4-administration. Our results demonstrated that the adenovirus-mediated induction of high levels of circulating NK4 significantly inhibited in vivo tumor growth and distant metastasis without obvious side effects. NK4 gene therapy is thus a safe and promising strategy for the treatment of cancer patients, and further validation in clinical trials is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kishi
- Division of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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15
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is an important paracrine factor in tumorigenesis. Ligand binding of the type I and II TGF-beta receptors initiate downstream signaling. The role of stromal TGF-beta signaling in prostate cancer progression is unknown. In mice, the conditional stromal knockout of the TGF-beta type II receptor expression (Tgfbr2(fspKO)) resulted in the development of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and progression to adenocarcinoma within 7 months. Clinically, we observed a loss of TGF-beta receptor type II expression in 69% of human prostate cancer-associated stroma, compared to 15% of stroma associated with benign tissues (n=140, P-value <0.0001). To investigate the mechanism of paracrine TGF-beta signaling in prostate cancer progression, we compared the effect of the prostatic stromal cells from Tgfbr2(fspKO) and floxed TGF-beta type II receptor Tgfbr2(floxE2/floxE2) mice on LNCaP human prostate cancer cells in vitro and tissue recombination xenografts. Induction of LNCaP cell proliferation and tumorigenesis was observed by Tgfbr2(fspKO) prostate stroma as a result of elevated Wnt3a expression. Neutralizing antibodies to Wnt3a reversed LNCaP tumorigenesis. The TGF-beta inhibition of Wnt3a expression was in part through the suppression of Stat3 activity on the Wnt3a promoter. In conclusion, the frequent loss of stromal TGF-beta type II receptor expression in human prostate cancer can relieve the paracrine suppression of Wnt3a expression.
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16
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Yang CH, Yu CJ, Shih JY, Chang YC, Hu FC, Tsai MC, Chen KY, Lin ZZ, Huang CJ, Shun CT, Huang CL, Bean J, Cheng AL, Pao W, Yang PC. Specific EGFR mutations predict treatment outcome of stage IIIB/IV patients with chemotherapy-naive non-small-cell lung cancer receiving first-line gefitinib monotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:2745-53. [PMID: 18509184 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.15.6695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore predictive factors for time to treatment failure (TTF) in chemotherapy-naive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving gefitinib treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS We designed a phase II study to test gefitinib antitumor efficacy in advanced-stage, chemotherapy-naive NSCLC patients. Patients were treated with gefitinib 250 mg/d. Tumor assessments were performed every 2 months. Responding or stable patients were treated until progression or unacceptable toxicity. All scans were reviewed independently. EGFR exons 18-21 sequence, K-ras exon 2 sequence, and MET gene copy numbers were examined in available samples. Clinical or molecular predictors of TTF were examined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS One hundred six patients were enrolled. Ninety patients had tumor samples for biomarker tests. Overall response rate was 50.9% (95% CI, 41.4% to 60.4%). Median TTF was 5.5 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 22.4 months. The response rate and median TTF of the patients with exon 19 deletion (n = 20) were 95.0% and 8.9 months, for exon 21 L858R mutation (n = 23) were 73.9% and 9.1 month, and for other types of EGFR mutations (N = 12) were 16.7% and 2.3 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the presence of EGFR deletion exon 19 or L858R EGFR mutations in adenocarcinoma patients predicted longer TTF. High copy number of MET seemed to correlate with shorter TTF in patients with gefitinib-sensitive activating EGFR mutations. CONCLUSION In this prospective study, EGFR exon 19 deletion or L858R mutations in adenocarcinoma were the best predictors for longer TTF in stage IIIB/IV chemotherapy-naive NSCLC patients receiving first-line gefitinib monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Hsin Yang
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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17
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Nakamura Y, Matsubara D, Goto A, Ota S, Sachiko O, Ishikawa S, Aburatani H, Miyazawa K, Fukayama M, Niki T. Constitutive activation of c-Met is correlated with c-Met overexpression and dependent on cell-matrix adhesion in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Cancer Sci 2008; 99:14-22. [PMID: 17953713 PMCID: PMC11159990 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2007.00640.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2007] [Revised: 09/04/2007] [Accepted: 09/05/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we explored the mechanisms of constitutive activation of c-Met in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. First, we examined levels of c-Met and phospho-c-Met (Y1234/Y1235) in a panel of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines by Western blot analysis. c-Met expression was found in 12 of 14 cell lines and an overall correlation between the expressions of c-Met and phospho-c-Met was noted. c-Met was constitutively activated particularly at high levels in five cell lines (PC3, LC-2/ad, L27, H1648, and H2009). c-Met amplification was identified in L27 and H1648 by single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis, but no mutations were identified in the Sema domain or in any part of the cytoplasmic domain of c-Met. Experiments with neutralizing anti-hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) antibody, scatter assay using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, and Western blotting on conditioned media of the cell lines revealed that the constitutive phosphorylation of c-Met was largely ligand-independent. The inhibition of cell-matrix adhesion induced the dephosphorylation of c-Met in the five cell lines tested. This was accompanied by downregulation of c-Met in three of the five cell lines. In contrast, the inhibition of cell-cell adhesion by neutralizing E-cadherin antibody had a minimal effect on the expression and phosphorylation of c-Met. These results reveal three features of the constitutive activation of c-Met in our panel of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines: (i) it correlates with c-Met overexpression, either with or without gene amplification; (ii) it is largely ligand-independent; and (iii) it depends on cell-matrix adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Nakamura
- Department of Human Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Nakamura Y, Niki T, Goto A, Morikawa T, Miyazawa K, Nakajima J, Fukayama M. c-Met activation in lung adenocarcinoma tissues: an immunohistochemical analysis. Cancer Sci 2007; 98:1006-13. [PMID: 17459054 PMCID: PMC11159971 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2007.00493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Met is often overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer, but it remains unsolved whether its overexpression leads to its activation. We used an antibody specific to phospho-c-Met (Tyr1235) to investigate c-Met activation immunohistochemically in 130 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas. The expression of c-Met and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was also investigated. Phospho-c-Met was positive in 21.5% (28/130) of cases. c-Met was positive in 74.6% of cases (97/130) and was expressed at high levels in 36.1% of cases (47/130). HGF was expressed at high levels in 31.5% of cases (41/130). Phospho-c-Met was correlated with high levels of HGF (P =0.0010) and high levels c-Met expression (P = 0.0303), but it was also found to be positive in 12 cases with little to no HGF expression. Phospho-c-Met expression was significantly associated with tumor differentiation (P = 0.0023) and papillary histology (P = 0.0011), but not with pathological stage, lymph node metastasis or survival. High levels of c-Met and HGF were also associated with papillary histology (P = 0.0056 and P = 0.0396, respectively), but not with tumor differentiation. Phospho-c-Met was correlated with phospho-Akt (P = 0.0381), but not with phospho-Erk or phospho-Stat3. Phospho-Akt expression was marginally correlated with the expression of phospho-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (P = 0.0533) and, importantly, it was strongly correlated with the expression of either phospho-c-Met or phospho-EGFR (P = 0.0013). The data suggest that in lung adenocarcinoma tissue, c-Met activation may take place either ligand-dependently or ligand-independently via c-Met overexpression. c-Met activation may play special roles in the papillary subtype and in well differentiated lung adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Nakamura
- Department of Human Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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19
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Cassinelli G, Lanzi C, Petrangolini G, Tortoreto M, Pratesi G, Cuccuru G, Laccabue D, Supino R, Belluco S, Favini E, Poletti A, Zunino F. Inhibition of c-Met and prevention of spontaneous metastatic spreading by the 2-indolinone RPI-1. Mol Cancer Ther 2006; 5:2388-97. [PMID: 16985073 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-06-0245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor Met play a pivotal role in the tumor metastatic phenotype and represent attractive therapeutic targets. We investigated the biochemical and biological effects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor RPI-1 on the human lung cancer cell lines H460 and N592, which express constitutively active Met. RPI-1-treated cells showed down-regulation of Met activation and expression, inhibition of HGF/Met-dependent downstream signaling involving AKT, signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 and paxillin, as well as a reduced expression of the proangiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Cell growth in soft agar of H460 cells was strongly reduced in the presence of the drug. Furthermore, RPI-1 inhibited both spontaneous and HGF-induced motility/invasiveness of both H460 and human endothelial cells. Targeting of Met signaling by alternative methods (Met small interfering RNA and anti-phosphorylated Met antibody intracellular transfer) produced comparable biochemical and biological effects. Using the spontaneously metastasizing lung carcinoma xenograft H460, daily oral treatment with well-tolerated doses of RPI-1 produced a significant reduction of spontaneous lung metastases (-75%; P < 0.001, compared with control mice). In addition, a significant inhibition of angiogenesis in primary s.c. tumors of treated mice was observed, possibly contributing to limit the development of metastases. The results provide preclinical evidence in support of Met targeting pharmacologic approach as a new option for the control of tumor metastatic dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Cassinelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Laboratories, Preclinical Chemotherapy and Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
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20
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Watson GA, Zhang X, Stang MT, Levy RM, Queiroz de Oliveira PE, Gooding WE, Christensen JG, Hughes SJ. Inhibition of c-Met as a therapeutic strategy for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Neoplasia 2006; 8:949-55. [PMID: 17132227 PMCID: PMC1716014 DOI: 10.1593/neo.06499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2006] [Revised: 09/05/2006] [Accepted: 09/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor c-Met is a tyrosine kinase receptor with established oncogenic properties. We have previously shown that c-Met is usually overexpressed in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), yet the implications of c-Met inhibition in EA remain unknown. Three c-Met-overexpressing EA cell lines (Seg-1, Bic-1, and Flo-1) were used to examine the effects of a c-Met-specific small molecule inhibitor (PHA665752) on cell viability, apoptosis, motility, invasion, and downstream signaling pathways. PHA665752 demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of constitutive and/or HGF-induced phosphorylation of c-Met, which correlated with reduced cell viability and inhibition of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation in all three EA cell lines. In contrast, PHA665752 induced apoptosis and reduced motility and invasion in only one EA cell line, Flo-1. Interestingly, Flo-1 was the only cell line in which phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt was induced following HGF stimulation. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 produced effects equivalent to those of PHA665752 in these cells. We conclude that inhibition of c-Met may be a useful therapeutic strategy for EA. Factors other than receptor overexpression, such as c-Met-dependent PI3K/Akt signaling, may be predictive of an individual tumor's response to c-Met inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Watson
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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21
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Petrelli A, Circosta P, Granziero L, Mazzone M, Pisacane A, Fenoglio S, Comoglio PM, Giordano S. Ab-induced ectodomain shedding mediates hepatocyte growth factor receptor down-regulation and hampers biological activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:5090-5. [PMID: 16547140 PMCID: PMC1458799 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0508156103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting tyrosine kinase receptors (RTKs) with specific Abs is a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment, although the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for the Abs' biological activity are not completely known. We targeted the transmembrane RTK for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with a monoclonal Ab (DN30). In vitro, chronic treatment of carcinoma cell lines resulted in impairment of HGF-induced signal transduction, anchorage-independent growth, and invasiveness. In vivo, administration of DN30 inhibited growth and metastatic spread to the lung of neoplastic cells s.c. transplanted into immunodeficient nu/nu mice. This Ab efficiently down-regulates HGF receptor through a molecular mechanism involving a double proteolytic cleavage: (i) cleavage of the extracellular portion, resulting in "shedding" of the ectodomain, and (ii) cleavage of the intracellular domain, which is rapidly degraded by the proteasome. Interestingly, the "decoy effect" generated by the shed ectodomain, acting as a dominant negative molecule, enhanced the inhibitory effect of the Ab.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alberto Pisacane
- Unit of Pathology, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), University of Turin Medical School, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
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22
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Fischer JR, Lahm H. Validation of molecular and immunological factors with predictive importance in lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2004; 45 Suppl 2:S151-61. [PMID: 15552796 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2004.07.978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Histological classification and staging are cornerstones of diagnosis in lung cancer. Treatment options have been enriched in the last few years by the development of a number of new drugs, and therapy is now increasingly being carried out within multimodal concepts and at earlier stages. Still, outcome of the disease is far from satisfactory and progress in clinical and preclinical research is time-consuming. With the whole variety of potent new therapeutic compounds including classical cytostatics and biological factors at hand, many now believe that a clear improvement of treatment results will be derived from a better understanding of the biology of these tumours and a resulting improvement of diagnosis. Biological factors reflecting the underlying tumour biology and aspects of clinically important pathomechanisms may not only better predict outcome of the disease but also of its treatment, serving as surrogate markers for a more appropriate general intensification of therapy and ideally for specific "targeted" interventions. This article describes the different insights in the biology of these tumours in relation with the representing surrogate markers, and opens routes to possible diagnostic and therapeutic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen R Fischer
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II Onkologie, Zentrum für Thoraxerkrankungen Löwenstein gGmbH, D-74245 Lowenstein, Germany.
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Stabile LP, Lyker JS, Huang L, Siegfried JM. Inhibition of human non-small cell lung tumors by a c-Met antisense/U6 expression plasmid strategy. Gene Ther 2004; 11:325-35. [PMID: 14737093 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase whose activation by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can lead to transformation and tumorigenicity in a variety of tumors. We investigated the effects of suppressing c-Met protein expression in human non-small cell lung tumors. Expression plasmids containing either sense or antisense sequences of the human c-met gene were constructed under control of the U6 snRNA promoter. A U6 control plasmid was also constructed that did not contain any c-met sequence. These constructs have been examined both in vitro and in an in vivo tumor xenograft model. The c-Met protein was downregulated by 50-60% in two lung cancer cell lines that were transiently transfected with the c-Met antisense versus U6 control. Tumor cells treated with the c-Met antisense construct also show decreased phosphorylation of c-Met and MAP kinase when exposed to exogenous HGF. Lung cancer cells were grown as xenografts in mice and treated by intratumoral liposome-mediated transfer of the c-Met sense, antisense or U6 control plasmids. The treatment of lung tumors with c-Met antisense versus U6 control plasmid resulted in the downregulation of the c-Met protein expression, a 50% decrease in tumor growth over a 5-week treatment period and an increased rate of apoptosis. These results suggest that targeting the HGF/c-Met pathway may be an effective novel strategy to treat lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P Stabile
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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