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Jabbarzadeh Kaboli P, Chen HF, Babaeizad A, Roustai Geraylow K, Yamaguchi H, Hung MC. Unlocking c-MET: A comprehensive journey into targeted therapies for breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216780. [PMID: 38462033 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, posing a formidable health challenge worldwide. In this complex landscape, the c-MET (cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), also recognized as the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor (HGFR), emerges as a prominent protagonist, displaying overexpression in nearly 50% of breast cancer cases. Activation of c-MET by its ligand, HGF, secreted by neighboring mesenchymal cells, contributes to a cascade of tumorigenic processes, including cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. While c-MET inhibitors such as crizotinib, capmatinib, tepotinib and cabozantinib have garnered FDA approval for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), their potential within breast cancer therapy is still undetermined. This comprehensive review embarks on a journey through structural biology, multifaceted functions, and intricate signaling pathways orchestrated by c-MET across cancer types. Furthermore, we highlight the pivotal role of c-MET-targeted therapies in breast cancer, offering a clinical perspective on this promising avenue of intervention. In this pursuit, we strive to unravel the potential of c-MET as a beacon of hope in the fight against breast cancer, unveiling new horizons for therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parham Jabbarzadeh Kaboli
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Fan Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Ali Babaeizad
- Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | | | - Hirohito Yamaguchi
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 413, Taiwan.
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2
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Li P, Hu M, Liu M, Ren X, Liu D, Liu J, Yin J, Tan X, Cao G. The efficacy and safety of different systemic combination therapies on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1197782. [PMID: 37817769 PMCID: PMC10561006 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1197782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Systemic combinations have recently brought significant therapeutic benefits for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). To design the most effective combination regimens, a systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022321949) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic combinations on aHCC. Methods We retrieved all the studies from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms until December 21, 2022. The effect indicators (hazard ratio [HR], relative risk [RR], and median) were pooled by a fixed- or random-effects model. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to types and specific therapies. Results In total, 88 eligible studies were selected from 7249 potential records. Each kind of combination treatment (chemotherapy plus chemotherapy, targeted plus immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, targeted plus chemotherapy, and targeted plus targeted therapy) had a better objective response rate (ORR) in patients with aHCC, compared to the monotherapy mostly with sorafenib (RR: 1.57 [1.44-1.71]; I 2 = 30%). Of those, targeted plus ICI therapy showed better therapeutic efficiency in overall survival (median: 15.02 [12.67-17.38]), progression-free survival (median: 7.08 [6.42-7.74]), and ORR (RR: 1.81 [1.55-2.13]), compared to the monotherapy. Specifically, Atezo plus Beva showed all those benefits. Our pooled result showed all the combinations had increased ≥3 Grade treatment-related adverse events (TrAEs), with an RR of 1.25 [95% CI: 1.15-1.36], compared to the monotherapy. Conclusion The systemic combinations, especially targeted plus ICI therapy, including Atezo plus Beva, significantly improve clinical outcomes but increase side effects in patients with aHCC. Future trials should concentrate on improvement in therapeutic efficiency and reduction of toxicity of targeted plus ICI therapy. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42022321949.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Ren
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Donghong Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiluo Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Yin
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Tan
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Tivantinib alleviates inflammatory diseases by directly targeting NLRP3. iScience 2023; 26:106062. [PMID: 36843841 PMCID: PMC9950949 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated immune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases, but few clinical drugs are identified that directly target the NLRP3 inflammasome to treat these diseases to date. Here, we show that the anticancer agent tivantinib is a selective inhibitor of NLRP3 and has a strong therapeutic effect on inflammasome-driven disease. Tivantinib specifically inhibits canonical and non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation without affecting AIM2 and NLRC4 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, Tivantinib inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome by directly blocking NLRP3 ATPase activity and subsequent inflammasome complex assembly. In vivo, Tivantinib reduces IL-1β production in mouse models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation, monosodium urate (MSU)-induced peritonitis and Con A-induced acute liver injury (ALI), and also has remarkable preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In conclusion, our study identifies the anticancer drug tivantinib as a specific inhibitor of NLRP3 and provides a promising therapeutic agent for inflammasome-driven disease.
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Machiraju D, Hassel JC. Targeting the cMET pathway to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches for mUM patients. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1068029. [PMID: 36761417 PMCID: PMC9902905 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1068029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is the most preferential initial site of metastasis for uveal melanoma (mUM), and this preference is associated with rapid mortality in mUM patients. Despite the significant clinical benefits of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in metastatic cutaneous melanoma patients, ICIs have shown little to no benefit in mUM patients. A potential reason for this inefficiency of ICI could be partly devoted to the involvement of the liver itself, thanks to its rich source of growth factors and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Uveal melanoma cells show increased expression of a transmembrane protein called cMET, which is known as the sole receptor for the Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Hyperactivation of cMET by HGF contributes to mUM development, and the liver, being the major source of HGF, may partially explain the metastasis of uveal melanoma cells to the liver. In addition, cMET/HGF signaling has also been shown to mediate resistance to ICI treatment, directly and indirectly, involving tumor and immune cell populations. Therefore, targeting the cMET/HGF interaction may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapeutic regimes for mUM patients. Hence in this minireview, we will discuss the rationale for combining cMET inhibitors/antibodies with leading immune checkpoint inhibitors for treating mUM. We will also briefly highlight the challenges and opportunities in targeting cMET in mUM.
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Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma with a Combination of Immunotherapies and Molecularly Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153779. [PMID: 35954441 PMCID: PMC9367420 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapies and molecularly targeted therapies have drastically changed the therapeutic approach for unresectable advanced or metastatic melanoma. The majority of melanoma patients have benefitted from these therapies; however, some patients acquire resistance to them. Novel combinations of immunotherapies and molecularly targeted therapies may be more efficient in treating these patients. In this review, we discuss various combination therapies under pre-clinical and clinical development which can reduce toxicity, enhance efficacy, and prevent recurrences in patients with metastatic melanoma. Abstract Melanoma possesses invasive metastatic growth patterns and is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer. In 2021, it is estimated that 7180 deaths were attributed to melanoma in the United States alone. Once melanoma metastasizes, traditional therapies are no longer effective. Instead, immunotherapies, such as ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab, are the treatment options for malignant melanoma. Several biomarkers involved in tumorigenesis have been identified as potential targets for molecularly targeted melanoma therapy, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Unfortunately, melanoma quickly acquires resistance to these molecularly targeted therapies. To bypass resistance, combination treatment with immunotherapies and single or multiple TKIs have been employed and have been shown to improve the prognosis of melanoma patients compared to monotherapy. This review discusses several combination therapies that target melanoma biomarkers, such as BRAF, MEK, RAS, c-KIT, VEGFR, c-MET and PI3K. Several of these regimens are already FDA-approved for treating metastatic melanoma, while others are still in clinical trials. Continued research into the causes of resistance and factors influencing the efficacy of these combination treatments, such as specific mutations in oncogenic proteins, may further improve the effectiveness of combination therapies, providing a better prognosis for melanoma patients.
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Xiao Y, Zhang B, Cloyd JM, Alaimo L, Xu G, Du S, Mao Y, Pawlik TM. Novel Drug Candidate Prediction for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma via Hub Gene Network Analysis and Connectivity Mapping. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133284. [PMID: 35805055 PMCID: PMC9265136 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive malignancy, and there is a need for effective systemic therapies. Gene expression profile-based analyses may allow for efficient screening of potential drug candidates to serve as novel therapeutics for patients with ICC. The RNA expression profile of ICC and normal biliary epithelial cells were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Function annotation and enrichment pathway analyses of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were finished using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. A weighted gene co-expression network (WGCN) was constructed by WGCN analysis (WGCNA). Key genes from the DEGs and co-expression gene modules were analyzed to generate a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The association between the top 10 screened hub genes and the overall and disease-free survival of ICC patients was examined. The Connectivity Map (cMap) analysis was performed to identify possible drugs for ICC using hub genes. A total of 151 key genes were selected from the overlapping genes of 1287 GSE-DEGs, 8183 TCGA-DEGs and 1226 genes in the mixed modules. A total of 10 hub genes of interest (CTNNB1, SPP1, COL1A2, COL3A1, SMAD3, SRC, VCAN, PKLR, GART, MRPS5) were found analyzing protein-protein interaction. Using the cMap, candidate drugs screened with potential efficacy for ICC included three tyrosine kinase inhibitors (dasatinib, NVP-BHG712, tivantinib), two cannabinoid receptor agonists (palmitoylethanolamide, arachidonamide), two antibiotics (moxifloxacin, amoxicillin), one estrogen receptor agonist (levonorgestrel), one serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor (MK-2206) and other small molecules. Key genes from network and PPI analysis allowed us to identify potential drugs for ICC. The identification of novel gene expression profiles and related drug screening may accelerate the identification of potential novel drug therapies for ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.X.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.M.)
| | - Baoluhe Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.X.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.M.)
| | - Jordan M. Cloyd
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Laura Alaimo
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplant Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610040, China;
| | - Shunda Du
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.X.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.M.)
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.X.); (B.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.M.)
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.C.); (L.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-614-293-8701
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Zhao S, Wu W, Jiang H, Ma L, Pan C, Jin C, Mo J, Wang L, Wang K. Selective Inhibitor of the c-Met Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: No Beneficial Effect With the Use of Tivantinib? Front Immunol 2021; 12:731527. [PMID: 34804015 PMCID: PMC8600564 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.731527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a formidable health challenge worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 2.4% in patients with distant metastases. The hepatocyte growth factor/cellular-mesenchymal-epithelial transition (HGF/c-Met) signaling pathway represents an encouraging therapeutic target for progressive HCC. Tivantinib, a non-adenosine triphosphate-competitive c-Met inhibitor, showed an attractive therapeutic effect on advanced HCC patients with high MET-expression in phase 2 study but failed to meet its primary endpoint of prolonging the overall survival (OS) in two phase 3 HCC clinical trials. Seven clinical trials have been registered in the "ClinicalTrials.gov" for investigating the safety and efficacy of tivantinib in treating advanced or unresectable HCC. Eight relevant studies have been published with results. The sample size ranged from 20 to 340 patients. The methods of tivantinib administration and dosage were orally 120/240/360 mg twice daily. MET overexpression was recorded at 34.6% to 100%. Two large sample phase 3 studies (the METIV-HCC study of Australia and European population and the JET-HCC study of the Japanese population) revealed that tivantinib failed to show survival benefits in advanced HCC. Common adverse events with tivantinib treatment include neutropenia, ascites, rash, and anemia, etc. Several factors may contribute to the inconsistency between the phase 2 and phase 3 studies of tivantinib, including the sample size, drug dosing, study design, and the rate of MET-High. In the future, high selective MET inhibitors combined with a biomarker-driven patient selection may provide a potentially viable therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankun Zhao
- Department of Urology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Weizhou Wu
- Department of Urology, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Lei Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Pan
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Chong Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Jinggang Mo
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Liezhi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Kunpeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
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Novel Prognostic Immunohistochemical Markers in Uveal Melanoma-Literature Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164031. [PMID: 34439182 PMCID: PMC8391629 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The following study provides an overview of the English-language literature on the search for new prognostic factors for uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults, and although it is a relatively rare disease, it poses a significant health problem. About half of the patients develop distant metastases, and unfortunately there are currently no effective treatments for the disease at such an advanced stage. The search for new prognostic factors is important to understand the biology of the disease and to be able to monitor patients more effectively. At the same time, it creates an opportunity to find new therapeutic targets. We focused our attention on immunohistochemical research because it is a widely used method, relatively cheap, technically simple, and gives reproducible results. The analysis of this study will enable other researchers to verify their research plans and may also be a source of inspiration for creating new ones. Abstract Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular neoplasm in adults. As there are currently no effective methods of treating the disease in the metastatic stage, there is a need to search for new prognostic factors that would enable a reliable assessment of the patient’s condition and constitute a possible therapeutic target. In this review, we have prepared the results of English-language studies on new prognostic factors determined with immunohistochemical methods. We found 64 articles in which the expression of various proteins was associated in a statistically significant manner with the histopathological and clinical prognostic factors identified by AJCC. The results of our work clearly show that the biology of uveal melanoma is extraordinarily complex. Numerous studies have shed new light on the complexity of the processes involved in the development of this cancer. Moreover, a careful analysis of the expression of individual proteins may allow the identification of homogeneous groups of patients requiring different treatment regimens.
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Maguire WF, Schmitz JC, Scemama J, Czambel K, Lin Y, Green AG, Wu S, Lin H, Puhalla S, Rhee J, Stoller R, Tawbi H, Lee JJ, Wright JJ, Beumer JH, Chu E, Appleman LJ. Phase 1 study of safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of tivantinib in combination with bevacizumab in adult patients with advanced solid tumors. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 88:643-654. [PMID: 34164713 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the combination of tivantinib, a c-MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF-A antibody. METHODS Patients with advanced solid tumors received bevacizumab (10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks) and escalating doses of tivantinib (120-360 mg orally twice daily). In addition to safety and preliminary efficacy, we evaluated pharmacokinetics of tivantinib and its metabolites, as well as pharmacodynamic biomarkers in peripheral blood and skin. RESULTS Eleven patients received the combination treatment, which was generally well tolerated. The main dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 hypertension, which was observed in four patients. Other toxicities included lymphopenia and electrolyte disturbances. No exposure-toxicity relationship was observed for tivantinib or metabolites. No clinical responses were observed. Mean levels of the serum cytokine bFGF increased (p = 0.008) after the bevacizumab-only lead-in and decreased back to baseline (p = 0.047) after addition of tivantinib. Tivantinib reduced levels of both phospho-MET (7/11 patients) and tubulin (4/11 patients) in skin. CONCLUSIONS The combination of tivantinib and bevacizumab produced toxicities that were largely consistent with the safety profiles of the individual drugs. The study was terminated prior to establishment of the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) due to concerns regarding the mechanism of tivantinib, as well as lack of clinical efficacy seen in this and other studies. Tivantinib reversed the upregulation of bFGF caused by bevacizumab, which has been considered a potential mechanism of resistance to therapies targeting the VEGF pathway. The findings from this study suggest that the mechanism of action of tivantinib in humans may involve inhibition of both c-MET and tubulin expression. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01749384 (First posted 12/13/2012).
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Maguire
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John C Schmitz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jonas Scemama
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ken Czambel
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Biostatistics Facility, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony G Green
- Pitt Biospecimen Core Research Histology Department, Health Sciences Core Research Facilities, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shaoyu Wu
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huang Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Roche Product Development, Roche (China) Holding Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Shannon Puhalla
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John Rhee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ronald Stoller
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hussein Tawbi
- Department of Melanoma and Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James J Lee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John J Wright
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jan H Beumer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Edward Chu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Oncology and Cancer Therapeutics Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Leonard J Appleman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Cancer Therapeutics Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Sabbah M, Najem A, Krayem M, Awada A, Journe F, Ghanem GE. RTK Inhibitors in Melanoma: From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1685. [PMID: 33918490 PMCID: PMC8038208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) and PI3K/AKT (Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase and Protein Kinase B) pathways play a key role in melanoma progression and metastasis that are regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Although RTKs are mutated in a small percentage of melanomas, several receptors were found up regulated/altered in various stages of melanoma initiation, progression, or metastasis. Targeting RTKs remains a significant challenge in melanoma, due to their variable expression across different melanoma stages of progression and among melanoma subtypes that consequently affect response to treatment and disease progression. In this review, we discuss in details the activation mechanism of several key RTKs: type III: c-KIT (mast/stem cell growth factor receptor); type I: EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor); type VIII: HGFR (hepatocyte growth factor receptor); type V: VEGFR (Vascular endothelial growth factor), structure variants, the function of their structural domains, and their alteration and its association with melanoma initiation and progression. Furthermore, several RTK inhibitors targeting the same receptor were tested alone or in combination with other therapies, yielding variable responses among different melanoma groups. Here, we classified RTK inhibitors by families and summarized all tested drugs in melanoma indicating the rationale behind the use of these drugs in each melanoma subgroups from preclinical studies to clinical trials with a specific focus on their purpose of treatment, resulted effect, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Sabbah
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ahmad Najem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Mohammad Krayem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ahmad Awada
- Medical Oncolgy Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Fabrice Journe
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ghanem E. Ghanem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
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11
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Moosavi F, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ, Firuzi O. Combination of HGF/MET-targeting agents and other therapeutic strategies in cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103234. [PMID: 33497758 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MET receptor has emerged as a druggable target across several human cancers. Agents targeting MET and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) including small molecules such as crizotinib, tivantinib and cabozantinib or antibodies including rilotumumab and onartuzumab have proven their values in different tumors. Recently, capmatinib was approved for treatment of metastatic lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping. In this review, we critically examine the current evidence on how HGF/MET combination therapies may take advantage of synergistic effects, overcome primary or acquired drug resistance, target tumor microenvironment, modulate drug metabolism or tackle pharmacokinetic issues. Preclinical and clinical studies on the combination of HGF/MET-targeted agents with conventional chemotherapeutics or molecularly targeted treatments (including EGFR, VEGFR, HER2, RAF/MEK, and PI3K/Akt targeting agents) and also the value of biomarkers are examined. Our deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying successful pharmacological combinations is crucial to find the best personalized treatment regimens for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Moosavi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Omidreza Firuzi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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12
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Meng L, He X, Zhang X, Zhang X, Wei Y, Wu B, Li W, Li J, Xiao Y. Predicting the clinical outcome of melanoma using an immune-related gene pairs signature. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240331. [PMID: 33031392 PMCID: PMC7544036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Melanoma is rare but dangerous skin cancer, and it can spread rather quickly in the advanced stages of the tumor. Abundant evidence suggests the relationship between tumor development and progression and the immune system. A robust gene risk model could provide an accurate prediction of clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to explore a robust signature of immune-related gene pairs (IRGPs) for estimating overall survival (OS) in malignant melanoma. METHODS Clinical and genetic data of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was performed as a training dataset to identify candidate IRGPs for the prognosis of melanoma. Two independent datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE65904) and TCGA dataset (TCGA-UVM) were selected for external validation. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were then performed to explore the prognostic power of the IRGPs signature and other clinical factors. CIBERSORTx was applied to estimate the fractions of infiltrated immune cells in bulk tumor tissues. RESULTS A signature consisted of 33 IRGPs was established which was significantly associated with patients' survival in the TCGA-SKCM dataset (P = 2.0×10-16, Hazard Ratio (HR) = 4.220 (2.909 to 6.122)). We found the IRGPs signature exhibited an independent prognostic factor in all the three independent cohorts in both the univariate and multivariate Cox analysis (P<0.01). The prognostic efficacy of the signature remained unaffected regardless of whether BRAF or NRAS was mutated. As expected, the results were verified in the GSE65904 dataset and the TCGA-UVM dataset. We found an apparent shorter OS in patients of the high-risk group in the GSE65904 dataset (P = 2.1×10-3; HR = 1.988 (1.309 to 3.020)). The trend in the results of the survival analysis in TCGA-UVM was as we expected, but the result was not statistically significant (P = 0.117, HR = 4.263 (1.407 to 12.91)). CD8 T cells, activated dendritic cells (DCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and activated CD4 memory T cells presented a significantly lower fraction in the high-risk group in the TCGA-SKCM dataset(P <0.01). CONCLUSION The results of the present study support the IRGPs signature as a promising marker for prognosis prediction in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Meng
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PAP Beijing Corps Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxi He
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yingtian Wei
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PAP Beijing Corps Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PAP Beijing Corps Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yueyong Xiao
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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13
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Yu J, Chen GG, Lai PBS. Targeting hepatocyte growth factor/c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor axis in hepatocellular carcinoma: Rationale and therapeutic strategies. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:507-524. [PMID: 33026703 DOI: 10.1002/med.21738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The outcome of current standard treatments, as well as targeted therapies in advanced stages, are still unsatisfactory. Attention has been drawn to novel strategies for better treatment efficacy. Hepatocyte growth factor/c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (HGF/c-Met) axis has been known as an essential element in the regulation of liver diseases and as an oncogenic factor in HCC. In this review, we collected the evidence of HGF/c-Met as a tumor progression and prognostic marker, discussed the anti-c-Met therapy in vitro, summarized the outcome of c-Met inhibitors in clinical trials, and identified potential impetus for future anti-c-Met treatments. We also analyzed the inconsistency of HGF/c-Met from various publications and offered reasonable explanations based on the current understanding in this area. In conclusion, HGF/c-Met plays a crucial role in the progression and growth of HCC, and the strategies to inhibit this pathway may facilitate the development of new and effective treatments for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqing Yu
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Paul B S Lai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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14
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Fan G, Wei X, Xu X. Is the era of sorafenib over? A review of the literature. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920927602. [PMID: 32518599 PMCID: PMC7252361 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920927602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe diseases worldwide. For the different stages of HCC, there are different clinical treatment strategies, such as surgical therapy for the early stage, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) for intermediate-stage disease. Systemic treatment, which uses mainly targeted drugs, is the standard therapy against advanced HCC. Sorafenib is an important first-line therapy for advanced HCC. As a classically effective drug, sorafenib can increase overall survival markedly. However, it still has room for improvement because of the heterogeneity of HCC and acquired resistance. Scientists have reported the acquired sorafenib resistance is associated with the anomalous expression of certain genes, most of which are also related with HCC onset and development. Combining sorafenib with inhibitors targeting these genes may be an effective treatment. Combined treatment may not only overcome drug resistance, but also inhibit the expression of carcinoma-related genes. This review focuses on the current status of sorafenib in advanced HCC, summarizes the inhibitors that can combine with sorafenib in the treatment against HCC, and provides the rationale for clinical trials of sorafenib in combination with other inhibitors in HCC. The era of sorafenib in the treatment of HCC is far from over, as long as we find better methods of medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghan Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, CAMS; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, CAMS; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, CAMS; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, 79 QingChun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
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15
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Zhou Y, Song KY, Giubellino A. The Role of MET in Melanoma and Melanocytic Lesions. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2019; 189:2138-2148. [PMID: 31476283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the leading cause of death due to cutaneous malignancy and its incidence is on the rise. Several signaling pathways, including receptor tyrosine kinases, have been recognized to have an etiopathogenetic role in the development and progression of precursor melanocytic lesions and malignant melanoma. Among those, the hepatocyte growth factor/MET (HGF/MET) axis is emerging as a critical player not only in the tumor itself but also in the immune microenvironment in which the tumor grows and advances in its development. Moreover, the activation of this pathway has emerged as a paradigm of tumor resistance to modern targeted therapies, and the assessment of its expression in patients' samples may be a valuable biomarker of tumor progression and response to targeted therapy. Here we summarize our current understanding of this important receptor tyrosine kinase in normal melanocyte proliferation/motility, in tumor progression and metastasis, its genetic alterations in certain subtype of melanocytic lesions, and how its pathway has been explored for the development of selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Kyu Young Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Alessio Giubellino
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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16
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Moosavi F, Giovannetti E, Saso L, Firuzi O. HGF/MET pathway aberrations as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in human cancers. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2019; 56:533-566. [PMID: 31512514 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2019.1653821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. MET tyrosine kinase receptor [MET, c-MET, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor] pathway activation is associated with the appearance of several hallmarks of cancer. The HGF/MET pathway has emerged as an important actionable target across many solid tumors; therefore, biomarker discovery becomes essential in order to guide clinical intervention and patient stratification with the aim of moving towards personalized medicine. The focus of this review is on how the aberrant activation of the HGF/MET pathway in tumor tissue or the circulation can provide diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and predictive biomarkers of drug response. Many meta-analyses have shown that aberrant activation of the MET pathway in tumor tissue, including MET gene overexpression, gene amplification, exon 14 skipping and other activating mutations, is almost invariably associated with shorter survival and poor prognosis. Most meta-analyses have been performed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast, head and neck cancers as well as colorectal, gastric, pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, several studies have shown the predictive value of MET biomarkers in the identification of patients who gain the most benefit from HGF/MET targeted therapies administered as single or combination therapies. The highest predictive values have been observed for response to foretinib and savolitinib in renal cancer, as well as tivantinib in NSCLC and colorectal cancer. However, some studies, especially those based on MET expression, have failed to show much value in these stratifications. This may be rooted in lack of standardization of methodologies, in particular in scoring systems applied in immunohistochemistry determinations or absence of oncogenic addiction of cancer cells to the MET pathway, despite detection of overexpression. Measurements of amplification and mutation aberrations are less likely to suffer from these pitfalls. Increased levels of MET soluble ectodomain (sMET) in circulation have also been associated with poor prognosis; however, the evidence is not as strong as it is with tissue-based biomarkers. As a diagnostic biomarker, sMET has shown its value in distinguishing cancer patients from healthy individuals in prostate and bladder cancers and in melanoma. On the other hand, increased circulating HGF has also been presented as a valuable prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in many cancers; however, there is controversy on the predictive value of HGF as a biomarker. Other biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and tumor HGF levels have also been briefly covered. In conclusion, HGF/MET aberrations can provide valuable diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers and represent vital assets for personalized cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Moosavi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc) , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.,Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza Onlus , Pisa , Italy
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, "Vittorio Erspamer," Sapienza University , Rome , Italy
| | - Omidreza Firuzi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
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17
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HGF/c-MET Signaling in Melanocytes and Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123844. [PMID: 30513872 PMCID: PMC6321285 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/ mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) signaling is involved in complex cellular programs that are important for embryonic development and tissue regeneration, but its activity is also utilized by cancer cells during tumor progression. HGF and c-MET usually mediate heterotypic cell–cell interactions, such as epithelial–mesenchymal, including tumor–stroma interactions. In the skin, dermal fibroblasts are the main source of HGF. The presence of c-MET on keratinocytes is crucial for wound healing in the skin. HGF is not released by normal melanocytes, but as melanocytes express c-MET, they are receptive to HGF, which protects them from apoptosis and stimulates their proliferation and motility. Dissimilar to melanocytes, melanoma cells not only express c-MET, but also release HGF, thus activating c-MET in an autocrine manner. Stimulation of the HGF/c-MET pathways contributes to several processes that are crucial for melanoma development, such as proliferation, survival, motility, and invasiveness, including distant metastatic niche formation. HGF might be a factor in the innate and acquired resistance of melanoma to oncoprotein-targeted drugs. It is not entirely clear whether elevated serum HGF level is associated with low progression-free survival and overall survival after treatment with targeted therapies. This review focuses on the role of HGF/c-MET signaling in melanoma with some introductory information on its function in skin and melanocytes.
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18
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Leichsenring J, Stögbauer F, Volckmar AL, Buchhalter I, Oliveira C, Kirchner M, Fröhling S, Hassel J, Enk A, Schirmacher P, Endris V, Penzel R, Stenzinger A. Genetic profiling of melanoma in routine diagnostics: assay performance and molecular characteristics in a consecutive series of 274 cases. Pathology 2018; 50:703-710. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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Liu SV, Groshen SG, Kelly K, Reckamp KL, Belani C, Synold TW, Goldkorn A, Gitlitz BJ, Cristea MC, Gong IY, Semrad TJ, Xu Y, Xu T, Koczywas M, Gandara DR, Newman EM. A phase I trial of topotecan plus tivantinib in patients with advanced solid tumors. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2018; 82:723-732. [PMID: 30128950 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-018-3672-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that target MET signaling have shown promise in various types of cancer, including lung cancer. Combination strategies have been proposed and developed to increase their therapeutic index. Based on preclinical synergy between inhibition of MET and topoisomerase I, a phase I study was designed to explore the combination of topotecan with the MET TKI tivantinib. METHODS Eligible patients with advanced solid malignancies for which there was no known effective treatment received topotecan at doses of 1.0-1.5 mg/m2/day for five consecutive days in 21-day cycles with continuous, oral tivantinib given at escalating doses of 120-360 mg orally twice daily. Pharmacokinetic analyses of tivantinib were included. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) were collected serially to identify peripheral changes in MET phosphorylation. RESULTS The trial included 18 patients, 17 of whom received treatment. At the planned doses, the combination of topotecan and tivantinib was not tolerable due to thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. The addition of G-CSF to attenuate neutropenia did not improve tolerability. Greater tivantinib exposure, assessed through pharmacokinetic analysis, was associated with greater toxicity. No responses were seen. MET phosphorylation was feasible in CTC, but no changes were seen with therapy. CONCLUSIONS The combination of topotecan and oral tivantinib was not tolerable in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen V Liu
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Susan G Groshen
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Karen Kelly
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amir Goldkorn
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Barbara J Gitlitz
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - I-Yeh Gong
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Semrad
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Yucheng Xu
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tong Xu
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - David R Gandara
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
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20
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Lath DL, Buckle CH, Evans HR, Fisher M, Down JM, Lawson MA, Chantry AD. ARQ-197, a small-molecule inhibitor of c-Met, reduces tumour burden and prevents myeloma-induced bone disease in vivo. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199517. [PMID: 29924867 PMCID: PMC6010293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met, its ligand HGF, and components of the downstream signalling pathway, have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of myeloma, both as modulators of plasma cell proliferation and as agents driving osteoclast differentiation and osteoblast inhibition thus, all these contribute substantially to the bone destruction typically caused by myeloma. Patients with elevated levels of HGF have a poor prognosis, therefore, targeting these entities in such patients may be of substantial benefit. We hypothesized that ARQ-197 (Tivantinib), a small molecule c-Met inhibitor, would reduce myeloma cell growth and prevent myeloma-associated bone disease in a murine model. In vitro we assessed the effects of ARQ-197 on myeloma cell proliferation, cytotoxicity and c-Met protein expression in human myeloma cell lines. In vivo we injected NOD/SCID-γ mice with PBS (non-tumour bearing) or JJN3 cells and treated them with either ARQ-197 or vehicle. In vitro exposure of JJN3, U266 or NCI-H929 cells to ARQ-197 resulted in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and an induction of cell death by necrosis, probably caused by significantly reduced levels of phosphorylated c-Met. In vivo ARQ-197 treatment of JJN3 tumour-bearing mice resulted in a significant reduction in tumour burden, tumour cell proliferation, bone lesion number, trabecular bone loss and prevented significant decreases in the bone formation rate on the cortico-endosteal bone surface compared to the vehicle group. However, no significant differences on bone parameters were observed in non-tumour mice treated with ARQ-197 compared to vehicle, implying that in tumour-bearing mice the effects of ARQ-197 on bone cells was indirect. In summary, these res ults suggest that ARQ-197 could be a promising therapeutic in myeloma patients, leading to both a reduction in tumour burden and an inhibition of myeloma-induced bone disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren L. Lath
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Clive H. Buckle
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Holly R. Evans
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Fisher
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny M. Down
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle A. Lawson
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew D. Chantry
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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21
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Rimassa L, Assenat E, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Pracht M, Zagonel V, Mathurin P, Rota Caremoli E, Porta C, Daniele B, Bolondi L, Mazzaferro V, Harris W, Damjanov N, Pastorelli D, Reig M, Knox J, Negri F, Trojan J, López López C, Personeni N, Decaens T, Dupuy M, Sieghart W, Abbadessa G, Schwartz B, Lamar M, Goldberg T, Shuster D, Santoro A, Bruix J. Tivantinib for second-line treatment of MET-high, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (METIV-HCC): a final analysis of a phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Lancet Oncol 2018; 19:682-693. [PMID: 29625879 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(18)30146-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tivantinib (ARQ 197), a selective, oral MET inhibitor, improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared with placebo in a randomised phase 2 study in patients with high MET expression (MET-high) hepatocellular carcinoma previously treated with sorafenib. The aim of this phase 3 study was to confirm the results of the phase 2 trial. METHODS We did a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 90 centres in Australia, the Americas, Europe, and New Zealand. Eligible patients were 18 years or older and had unresectable, histologically confirmed, hepatocellular carcinoma, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1, high MET expression (MET-high; staining intensity score ≥2 in ≥50% of tumour cells), Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, and radiographically-confirmed disease progression after receiving sorafenib-containing systemic therapy. We randomly assigned patients (2:1) in block sizes of three using a computer-generated randomisation sequence to receive oral tivantinib (120 mg twice daily) or placebo (twice daily); patients were stratified by vascular invasion, extrahepatic spread, and α-fetoprotein concentrations (≤200 ng/mL or >200 ng/mL). The primary endpoint was overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. Efficacy analyses were by intention to treat and safety analyses were done in all patients who received any amount of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01755767. FINDINGS Between Dec 27, 2012, and Dec 10, 2015, 340 patients were randomly assigned to receive tivantinib (n=226) or placebo (n=114). At a median follow-up of 18·1 months (IQR 14·1-23·1), median overall survival was 8·4 months (95% CI 6·8-10·0) in the tivantinib group and 9·1 months (7·3-10·4) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·97; 95% CI 0·75-1·25; p=0·81). Grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 125 (56%) of 225 patients in the tivantinib group and in 63 (55%) of 114 patients in the placebo group, with the most common being ascites (16 [7%] patients]), anaemia (11 [5%] patients), abdominal pain (nine [4%] patients), and neutropenia (nine [4%] patients) in the tivantinib group. 50 (22%) of 226 patients in the tivantinib group and 18 (16%) of 114 patients in the placebo group died within 30 days of the last dose of study medication, and general deterioration (eight [4%] patients) and hepatic failure (four [2%] patients) were the most common causes of death in the tivantinib group. Three (1%) of 225 patients in the tivantinib group died from a treatment-related adverse event (one sepsis, one anaemia and acute renal failure, and one acute coronary syndrome). INTERPRETATION Tivantinib did not improve overall survival compared with placebo in patients with MET-high advanced hepatocellular carcinoma previously treated with sorafenib. Although this METIV-HCC trial was negative, the study shows the feasibility of doing integral tissue biomarker studies in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Additional randomised studies are needed to establish whether MET inhibition could be a potential therapy for some subsets of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. FUNDING ArQule Inc and Daiichi Sankyo (Daiichi Sankyo Group).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Rimassa
- Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Eric Assenat
- Service d'Oncologie Médicale, CHRU Saint Eloi, Montpellier, France
| | - Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Section of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Medizinische Universitaet Wien, Wien, Austria; Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Marc Pracht
- Centre Eugène Marquis et CH Saint Malo, Rennes, France
| | - Vittorina Zagonel
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Philippe Mathurin
- Service des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, Hôpital Claude Huriez, Lille Cedex, France
| | | | - Camillo Porta
- IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Bruno Daniele
- Department of Oncology and Medical Oncology Unit, AO G Rummo Hospital, Benevento, Italy
| | - Luigi Bolondi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Center for Applied Biomedical Research, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- Department of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - William Harris
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nevena Damjanov
- Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Davide Pastorelli
- Department of Oncology, Santa Maria del Prato Hospital, Feltre, Italy
| | - María Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jennifer Knox
- Solid Tumor Medical Oncology, McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Center at the OPG, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Francesca Negri
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Jörg Trojan
- Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Medizinische Klinik 1, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carlos López López
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Nicola Personeni
- Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences-INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309 and Department of Hepatogastroenterology Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France; Clinique Universitaire d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Digidune, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble-Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Marie Dupuy
- Service d'Oncologie Médicale, CHRU Saint Eloi, Montpellier, France
| | - Wolfgang Sieghart
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Section of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Medizinische Universitaet Wien, Wien, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Armando Santoro
- Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain.
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Tumor and circulating biomarkers in patients with second-line hepatocellular carcinoma from the randomized phase II study with tivantinib. Oncotarget 2018; 7:72622-72633. [PMID: 27579536 PMCID: PMC5341932 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ARQ 197-215 was a randomized placebo-controlled phase II study testing the MET inhibitor tivantinib in second-line hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. It identified tumor MET as a key biomarker in HCC.Aim of this research was to study the prognostic and predictive value of tumor (MET, the receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by the homonymous MNNG-HOS transforming gene) and circulating (MET, hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) biomarkers in second-line HCC. Tumor MET-High status was centrally assessed by immunohistochemistry. Circulating biomarkers were centrally analyzed on serum samples collected at baseline and every 4-8 weeks, using medians as cut-off to determine High/Low status. Tumor MET, tested in 77 patients, was more frequently High after (82%) versus before (40%) sorafenib. A significant interaction (p = 0.04) between tivantinib and baseline tumor MET in terms of survival was observed. Baseline circulating MET and HGF (102 patients) High status correlated with shorter survival (HR 0.61, p = 0.03, and HR 0.60, p = 0.02, respectively), while the association between AFP (104 patients) or VEGF (103 patients) status and survival was non-significant. CONCLUSIONS Tumor MET levels were higher in patients treated with sorafenib. Circulating biomarkers such as MET and HGF may be prognostic in second-line HCC. These results need to be confirmed in larger randomized clinical trials.
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Bouattour M, Raymond E, Qin S, Cheng A, Stammberger U, Locatelli G, Faivre S. Recent developments of c-Met as a therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2018; 67:1132-1149. [PMID: 28862760 PMCID: PMC5873445 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant c-Met activity has been implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggesting that c-Met inhibition may have therapeutic potential. However, clinical trials of nonselective kinase inhibitors with c-Met activity (tivantinib, cabozantinib, foretinib, and golvatinib) in patients with HCC have failed so far to demonstrate significant efficacy. This lack of observed efficacy is likely due to several factors, including trial design, lack of patient selection according to tumor c-Met status, and the prevalent off-target activity of these agents, which may indicate that c-Met inhibition is incomplete. In contrast, selective c-Met inhibitors (tepotinib, capmatinib) can be dosed at a level predicted to achieve complete inhibition of tumor c-Met activity. Moreover, results from early trials can be used to optimize the design of clinical trials of these agents. Preliminary results suggest that selective c-Met inhibitors have antitumor activity in HCC, with acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with Child-Pugh A liver function. Ongoing trials have been designed to assess the efficacy and safety of selective c-Met inhibition compared with standard therapy in patients with HCC that were selected based on tumor c-Met status. Thus, c-Met inhibition continues to be an active area of research in HCC, with well-designed trials in progress to investigate the benefit of selective c-Met inhibitors. (Hepatology 2018;67:1132-1149).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bouattour
- Digestive Oncology DepartmentBeaujon University HospitalClichyFrance
| | - Eric Raymond
- Oncology UnitGroupe Hospitalier Paris Saint JosephParisFrance
| | - Shukui Qin
- Medical Oncology DepartmentNanjing Bayi HospitalNanjingChina
| | | | | | | | - Sandrine Faivre
- Medical Oncology DepartmentBeaujon University HospitalClichyFrance
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Zhang Y, Xia M, Jin K, Wang S, Wei H, Fan C, Wu Y, Li X, Li X, Li G, Zeng Z, Xiong W. Function of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase in carcinogenesis and associated therapeutic opportunities. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:45. [PMID: 29455668 PMCID: PMC5817860 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0796-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the MET (MNNG HOS transforming gene) family, and is expressed on the surfaces of various cells. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is the ligand for this receptor. The binding of HGF to c-Met initiates a series of intracellular signals that mediate embryogenesis and wound healing in normal cells. However, in cancer cells, aberrant HGF/c-Met axis activation, which is closely related to c-Met gene mutations, overexpression, and amplification, promotes tumor development and progression by stimulating the PI3K/AKT, Ras/MAPK, JAK/STAT, SRC, Wnt/β-catenin, and other signaling pathways. Thus, c-Met and its associated signaling pathways are clinically important therapeutic targets. In this review, we elaborate on the molecular structure of c-Met and HGF and the mechanism through which their interaction activates the PI3K/AKT, Ras/MAPK, and Wnt signaling pathways. We also summarize the connection between c-Met and RON and EGFR, which are also receptor tyrosine kinases. Finally, we introduce the current therapeutic drugs that target c-Met in primary tumors, and their use in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazhuo Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mengfang Xia
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ke Jin
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shufei Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Wei
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunmei Fan
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yingfen Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiayu Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Keedy VL, Lenz HJ, Saltz L, Whisenant JG, Berlin JD, Camacho LH. First-in-human phase I dose escalation study of MK-8033 in patients with advanced solid tumors. Invest New Drugs 2018; 36:860-868. [PMID: 29376210 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-018-0567-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background C-Met, which is frequently activated in multiple cancers, has been implicated in tumor formation, progression, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to multiple therapies. MK-8033 is a small-molecule inhibitor of c-Met that binds preferentially to the activated conformation, and has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. This first-in-human trial was performed to establish the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD), as well as preliminary pharmacokinetics (PK) and clinical activity. Methods Forty-seven patients were enrolled in three parts. The primary objective of Parts A and B was safety, whereas Part C evaluated the effect of proton-pump inhibitors on MK-8033 absorption. Dose escalation used an accelerated continual reassessment method, and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were any treatment-related, first course non-hematologic grade ≥ 3 toxicity (except alopecia or inadequately treated nausea/vomiting/diarrhea), grade 4 hematologic toxicity (except grade 3 neutropenic fever and thrombocytopenia), or toxicity where treatment is held >3 weeks. Results Forty-six patients were treated across nine dose levels, and the MTD was 750 mg twice daily. DLTs were fatigue, nausea, vomiting, transaminitis, and hypokalemia. Most frequent toxicities were fatigue (28.3%), nausea (21.7%), and alopecia (19.6%), predominately grade ≤ 2. One patient with endometriod adenocarcinoma achieved a partial response and eight had stable disease. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 57 days. Strikingly, the PFS for the one responder was 846 days. PK results showed that proton-pump inhibitors have no effect on MK-8033 absorption. Conclusion MK-8033 was well tolerated with no significant toxicity issues, albeit with limited clinical activity. Unfortunately, the company decided to discontinue further clinical development of MK-8033.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki L Keedy
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2220 Pierce Avenue, 777 PRB, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern Carolina, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Leonard Saltz
- Memoral Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer G Whisenant
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2220 Pierce Avenue, 777 PRB, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jordan D Berlin
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2220 Pierce Avenue, 777 PRB, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Luis H Camacho
- Center for Oncology and Blood Disorders, Houston, TX, USA
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Tolcher AW, Peng W, Calvo E. Rational Approaches for Combination Therapy Strategies Targeting the MAP Kinase Pathway in Solid Tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:3-16. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Thewke DP, Kou J, Fulmer ML, Xie Q. The HGF/MET Signaling and Therapeutics in Cancer. CURRENT HUMAN CELL RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-7296-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Echevarría-Vargas IM, Villanueva J. COMBATING NRAS MUTANT MELANOMA: FROM BENCH TO BEDSIDE. Melanoma Manag 2017; 4:183-186. [PMID: 29785260 DOI: 10.2217/mmt-2017-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Galun D, Srdic-Rajic T, Bogdanovic A, Loncar Z, Zuvela M. Targeted therapy and personalized medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma: drug resistance, mechanisms, and treatment strategies. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2017; 4:93-103. [PMID: 28744453 PMCID: PMC5513853 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a growing number of new cases diagnosed each year that is nearly equal to the number of deaths from this cancer. In a majority of the cases, HCC is associated with the underlying chronic liver disease, and it is diagnosed in advanced stage of disease when curative treatment options are not applicable. Sorafenib is a treatment of choice for patients with performance status 1 or 2 and/or macrovascular invasion or extrahepatic spread, and regorafenib is the only systemic treatment found to provide survival benefit in HCC patients progressing on sorafenib treatment. Other drugs tested in different trials failed to demonstrate any benefit. Disappointing results of numerous trials testing the efficacy of various drugs indicate that HCC has low sensitivity to chemotherapy that is in great part caused by multidrug resistance. Immunotherapy for HCC is a new challenging treatment option and involves immune checkpoint inhibitors/antibody-based therapy and peptide-based vaccines. Another challenging approach is microRNA-based therapy that involves two strategies. The first aims to inhibit oncogenic miRNAs by using miRNA antagonists and the second strategy is miRNA replacement, which involves the reintroduction of a tumor-suppressor miRNA mimetic to restore a loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijel Galun
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Unit, University Clinic for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia
- Medical School, University of Belgrade
| | - Tatjana Srdic-Rajic
- Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia/Unit for Experimental Oncology
| | - Aleksandar Bogdanovic
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Unit, University Clinic for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia
| | - Zlatibor Loncar
- Medical School, University of Belgrade
- Emergency Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marinko Zuvela
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Unit, University Clinic for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia
- Medical School, University of Belgrade
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Kyriakopoulos CE, Braden AM, Kolesar JM, Eickhoff JC, Bailey HH, Heideman J, Liu G, Wisinski KB. A phase I study of tivantinib in combination with temsirolimus in patients with advanced solid tumors. Invest New Drugs 2017; 35:290-297. [PMID: 28004284 PMCID: PMC5809175 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-016-0418-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background A wide variety of human cancers exhibit dysregulated c-Met activity that has implications in oncogenesis. Phosphorylation of c-Met results in activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Combined blockade of c-Met and mTOR pathways has shown efficacy in preclinical studies. Tivantinib is a c-Met inhibitor and temsirolimus is a selective mTOR inhibitor. We aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended phase II dose (RP2D), dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), adverse events (AEs), clinical activity and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of the combination. Methods This open-label phase I study used a 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Patients (pts) were treated with escalating doses of tivantinib (120-360 mg tablets orally twice daily) and temsirolimus (20 mg IV weekly) followed by dose expansion at the MTD. Separate cohorts were planned for extensive (normal) and poor tivantinib metabolizers based on CYP2C19 genotypes. Cycles were 28 days besides cycle 1 that was 35 days to allow for PK analysis. Results Twenty-nine pts. [median age 58 (range 28-77)] were enrolled (21 in dose escalation and 8 in dose expansion). All were extensive CYP2C19 metabolizers. The most common types of cancer were colorectal, ovarian and non-small cell lung. Sixteen out of 21 and 6 out of 8 pts. were evaluable for DLT evaluation per protocol in the dose escalation and dose expansion phases, respectively. Pts remained on study for a median of 71 days (range 18-296). The MTD and RP2D was tivantinib 240 mg twice daily and temsirolimus 20 mg weekly. DLTs included grade (gr) 4 neutropenia (2 pts.; 1 with gr 3 febrile neutropenia), gr 3 abdominal pain (1 pt) and gr 2 mucositis resulting in inadequate drug delivery. The most common treatment related AEs grade ≥ 2 included: anemia (gr 2 in 9 pts., gr 3 in 3 pts), fatigue (gr 2 in 10 pts), anorexia (gr 2 in 9 pts), hypoalbuminemia (gr 2 in 6 pts., gr 3 in 2 pts), hypophosphatemia (gr 2 in 2 pts., gr 3 in 5 pts) and nausea (gr 2 in 6 pts., gr 3 in 1 pt). One pt. with ovarian cancer had a confirmed partial response and remained on study for 10 months, a second patient with ovarian cancer had stable disease and remained on study for 6 months and a third pt. with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue had stable disease and remained on study for 7 months. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that there is no interaction in the plasma concentrations between tivantinib and temsirolimus. Conclusions The combination of tivantinib with temsirolimus appears to be well tolerated with evidence of clinical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos E Kyriakopoulos
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Amy M Braden
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Jill M Kolesar
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Jens C Eickhoff
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Howard H Bailey
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Jennifer Heideman
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Glenn Liu
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
| | - Kari B Wisinski
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
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Boespflug A, Caramel J, Dalle S, Thomas L. Treatment of NRAS-mutated advanced or metastatic melanoma: rationale, current trials and evidence to date. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2017; 9:481-492. [PMID: 28717400 PMCID: PMC5502949 DOI: 10.1177/1758834017708160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The disease course of BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1)-mutant melanoma has been drastically improved by the arrival of targeted therapies. NRAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog)-mutated melanoma represents 15–25% of all metastatic melanoma patients. It currently does not have an approved targeted therapy. Metastatic patients receive immune-based therapies as first-line treatments, then cytotoxic chemotherapy like carboplatin/paclitaxel (C/P), dacarbazine (DTIC) or temozolomide (TMZ) as a second-line treatment. We will review current preclinical and clinical developments in NRAS-mutated melanoma, and analyze ongoing clinical trials that are evaluating the benefit of different targeted and immune-based therapies, either tested as single agents or in combination, in NRAS-mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon-1 University, INSERM1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | | | - Luc Thomas
- Service de Dermatologie, CH Lyon Sud, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495 Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
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Chen S, Zhu Y, Cui J, Wang Y, Xia Y, Song J, Cheng S, Zhou C, Zhang D, Zhang B, Shi B. The role of c-Met in prognosis and clinicopathology of renal cell carcinoma: Results from a single-centre study and systematic review. Urol Oncol 2017; 35:532.e15-532.e23. [PMID: 28427859 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2017.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The c-Met proto-oncogene pathway plays an important role in the progression of various cancers. However, the effect of the c-Met pathway on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains controversial. We decided to clarify the role of c-Met in prognosis and clinicopathology of RCC. METHODS A total of 10 pairs of tumour and adjacent tissues were obtained from patients with primary RCC between 2013 and 2014 and tissue microarrays to assess c-Met expression in tumour tissues from 90 patients with RCC by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. We also presented a meta-analysis to explore the correlation between c-Met and pathological grade and stage of RCC. The two-tailed Pearson's χ2 and Fischer exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS C-Met protein levels were increased in 8 of 10 RCC tissue samples compared with their adjacent normal tissue and c-Met expression levels were positively associated with a high nuclear grade (P = 0.008) and pT stage (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that a high expression of c-Met was an independent predictor of disease-specific survival (P = 0.017). A meta-analysis found that increased c-Met expression in RCC tissues was closely correlated with high tumour grade (P<0.001) and high pT stage (P = 0.001). Most importantly, c-Met expression was significantly correlated with disease-specific survival (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Because c-Met is strongly associated with pathological grade, stage and disease-specific survival, c-Met levels may have potential to predict patient prognosis and to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouzhen Chen
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaofeng Zhu
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Cui
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Xia
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Song
- Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Institute of Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Cheng
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Changkuo Zhou
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongqing Zhang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Urology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Benkang Shi
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Best J, Schotten C, Lohmann G, Gerken G, Dechêne A. Tivantinib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2017; 18:727-733. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2017.1316376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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A mini-review of c-Met as a potential therapeutic target in melanoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 88:194-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Woo HY, Yoo SY, Heo J. New chemical treatment options in second-line hepatocellular carcinoma: what to do when sorafenib fails? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2016; 18:35-44. [PMID: 27849399 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2016.1261825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There have been no therapies available for patients who experience disease progression after sorafenib treatment. Regorafenib inhibits multiple kinases involved in tumor proliferation and neoangiogenesis, which has produced a survival benefit in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sorafenib failure. Other active candidate agents are c-Met inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Areas covered: This paper presents an updated summary of the preclinical and clinical experience with regorafenib, c-Met inhibitors (tivantinib, cabozantinib and tepotinib), and a checkpoint inhibitor (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) in HCC. The reported data were obtained from abstracts of international conferences and journal articles published up to August 2016 and found in a PubMed search. Expert opinion: Based on favorable data from preclinical and clinical trials, regorafenib, c-Met inhibitor, and checkpoint inhibitors are promising agents for HCC after sorafenib failure. However, further efforts to maximize the survival benefit and minimize adverse events of these drugs in the treatment of HCC are still necessary. Additionally, searching for predictors of good responders could allow these new drugs to be applied in personalized treatments of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Woo
- a Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine , Pusan National University and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital , Busan , Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Yoo
- b BIO-IT Foundry Technology Institute , Pusan National University , Busan , Republic of Korea.,c Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology , Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital , Yangsan , Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Heo
- a Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine , Pusan National University and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital , Busan , Republic of Korea
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Pievsky D, Pyrsopoulos N. Profile of tivantinib and its potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: the evidence to date. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2016; 3:69-76. [PMID: 27896243 PMCID: PMC5118026 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s106072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest rising cause of cancer-related death in the United States and carries a very poor prognosis, with a median survival time of <50% at 1 year for advanced disease. To date, sorafenib is the only therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of advanced HCC. Tivantinib (ARQ-197), a non-ATP competitive inhibitor of cellular mesenchymal–epithelial transcription factor (c-MET), has shown a survival benefit in patients with advanced HCC who have failed or are intolerant to sorafenib in Phase I and II trials. Those patients who have tumors with high concentrations of MET (MET-high) appear to derive the greatest benefit from tivantinib therapy. Currently, two large randomized double-blind placebo-controlled Phase III trials (METIV-HCC [NCT01755767] and JET-HCC [NCT02029157]) are evaluating tivantinib in patients with MET-high advanced HCC, with the primary end points of overall survival and progression-free survival, respectively. This study reviews the evidence for the use of tivantinib in advanced HCC. Specific topics addressed include the pharmacology, dosing, toxicity, and biomarkers associated with tivantinib use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
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Kudo M, Trevisani F, Abou-Alfa GK, Rimassa L. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Therapeutic Guidelines and Medical Treatment. Liver Cancer 2016; 6:16-26. [PMID: 27995084 PMCID: PMC5159738 DOI: 10.1159/000449343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Western and Eastern perspectives on therapeutic guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have many commonalities but may also differ in certain aspects, as described in this article. In view of the limited therapeutic options for advanced HCC, evidence-based therapies are few, and thus there is a dependence on consensus-based guidelines. This article focuses on the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines and the Japanese approaches to therapy, while drawing attention to certain controversies from other academic bodies where applicable and appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, OsakaSayama, Japan
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Semeiotic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum − University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ghassan K Abou-Alfa
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, N.Y., USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, N.Y., USA
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
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Stella GM, Gentile A, Baderacchi A, Meloni F, Milan M, Benvenuti S. Ockham's razor for the MET-driven invasive growth linking idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. J Transl Med 2016; 14:256. [PMID: 27590450 PMCID: PMC5010719 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-1008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) identifies a specific lung disorder characterized by chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology, which lacks effective treatment. According to the current pathogenic perspective, the aberrant proliferative events in IPF resemble those occurring during malignant transformation. MAIN BODY Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are known to be key players in cancer onset and progression. It has been demonstrated that RTK expression is sometimes also altered and even druggable in IPF. One example of an RTK-the MET proto-oncogene-is a key regulator of invasive growth. This physiological genetic program supports embryonic development and post-natal organ regeneration, as well as cooperating in the evolution of cancer metastasis when aberrantly activated. Growing evidence sustains that MET activation may collaborate in maintaining tissue plasticity and the regenerative potential that characterizes IPF. CONCLUSION The present work aims to elucidate-by applying the logic of simplicity-the bio-molecular mechanisms involved in MET activation in IPF. This clarification is crucial to accurately design MET blockade strategies within a fully personalized approach to IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia M. Stella
- Pneumology Unit, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation and University of Pavia Medical School, Piazzale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Investigational Clinical Oncology (INCO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gentile
- Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology (ECMO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060 Turin, Italy
| | - Alice Baderacchi
- Investigational Clinical Oncology (INCO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060 Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Meloni
- Pneumology Unit, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation and University of Pavia Medical School, Piazzale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Melissa Milan
- Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology (ECMO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060 Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Benvenuti
- Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology (ECMO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060 Turin, Italy
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Posch C, Vujic I, Monshi B, Sanlorenzo M, Weihsengruber F, Rappersberger K, Ortiz-Urda S. Searching for the Chokehold of NRAS Mutant Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:1330-1336. [PMID: 27160069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Up to 18% of melanomas harbor mutations in the neuroblastoma rat-sarcoma homolog (NRAS). Yet, decades of research aimed to interfere with oncogenic RAS signaling have been largely disappointing and have not resulted in meaningful clinical outputs. Recent advances in disease modeling, structural biology, and an improved understanding of RAS cycling as well as RAS signaling networks have renewed hope for developing strategies to selectively block hyperactive RAS function. This review discusses direct and indirect blocking of activated RAS with a focus on current and potential future therapeutic approaches for NRAS mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Posch
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Igor Vujic
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Babak Monshi
- Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Sanlorenzo
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Felix Weihsengruber
- Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klemens Rappersberger
- Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Ortiz-Urda
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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40
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Okuma HS, Kondo S. Trends in the development of MET inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma. Future Oncol 2016; 12:1275-86. [PMID: 26984595 DOI: 10.2217/fon.16.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has improved survival and is now considered the standard of care; however, the benefits are still disappointing, and thus, new effective treatments are required. In human hepatocellular carcinoma, MET, which is encoded by the HGFR gene, is activated by amplification, overexpression or mutation, and it has recently emerged as a possible therapeutic target in various tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma. In fact, some drugs targeting the HGF/MET axis are currently under investigation in clinical trials. Here, we review the role of MET and trends in the development of MET inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi S Okuma
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kondo
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
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41
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Davar D, Fuchs SY, Kirkwood JM. BRAF Inhibitors and IFNα: Plus, Minus, or Indeterminate? J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 108:djv432. [PMID: 26851801 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diwakar Davar
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (DD, JMK); Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (SYF)
| | - Serge Y Fuchs
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (DD, JMK); Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (SYF)
| | - John M Kirkwood
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (DD, JMK); Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (SYF).
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Garajová I, Giovannetti E, Biasco G, Peters GJ. c-Met as a Target for Personalized Therapy. TRANSLATIONAL ONCOGENOMICS 2015. [PMID: 26628860 DOI: 10.4137/togog.s30534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
MET and its ligand HGF are involved in many biological processes, both physiological and pathological, making this signaling pathway an attractive therapeutic target in oncology. Downstream signaling effects are transmitted via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase protein kinase B)/AKT, signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins (STAT), and nuclear factor-κB. The final output of the terminal effector components of these pathways is activation of cytoplasmic and nuclear processes leading to increases in cell proliferation, survival, mobilization and invasive capacity. In addition to its role as an oncogenic driver, increasing evidence implicates MET as a common mechanism of resistance to targeted therapies including EGFR and VEGFR inhibitors. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of the HGF-MET signaling pathway in cancer and its therapeutic targeting (HGF activation inhibitors, HGF inhibitors, MET antagonists and selective/nonselective MET kinase inhibitors). Recent advances in understanding the role of this pathway in the resistance to current anticancer strategies used in lung, kidney and pancreatic cancer are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Garajová
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ; Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ; Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Biasco
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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43
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Garajová I, Giovannetti E, Biasco G, Peters GJ. c-Met as a Target for Personalized Therapy. TRANSLATIONAL ONCOGENOMICS 2015; 7:13-31. [PMID: 26628860 PMCID: PMC4659440 DOI: 10.4137/tog.s30534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
MET and its ligand HGF are involved in many biological processes, both physiological and pathological, making this signaling pathway an attractive therapeutic target in oncology. Downstream signaling effects are transmitted via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase protein kinase B)/AKT, signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins (STAT), and nuclear factor-κB. The final output of the terminal effector components of these pathways is activation of cytoplasmic and nuclear processes leading to increases in cell proliferation, survival, mobilization and invasive capacity. In addition to its role as an oncogenic driver, increasing evidence implicates MET as a common mechanism of resistance to targeted therapies including EGFR and VEGFR inhibitors. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of the HGF-MET signaling pathway in cancer and its therapeutic targeting (HGF activation inhibitors, HGF inhibitors, MET antagonists and selective/nonselective MET kinase inhibitors). Recent advances in understanding the role of this pathway in the resistance to current anticancer strategies used in lung, kidney and pancreatic cancer are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Garajová
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Biasco
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Godefridus J. Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Lee JJX, Chan JJ, Choo SP. Clinical Development of c-MET Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Diseases 2015; 3:306-324. [PMID: 28943627 PMCID: PMC5548260 DOI: 10.3390/diseases3040306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death. In patients with advanced or unresectable HCC, there are few treatment options. Conventional chemotherapy has limited benefits. Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, improves survival, but options for patients intolerant of or progressing on sorafenib are limited. There has been much interest in recent years in molecular therapeutic targets and drug development for HCC. One of the more promising molecular targets in HCC is the cellular-mesenchymal-epithelial transition (c-MET) factor receptor. Encouraging phase II data on two c-MET inhibitors, tivantinib and cabozantinib, has led to phase III trials. This review describes the c-MET/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signalling pathway and its relevance to HCC, and discusses the preclinical and clinical trial data for inhibitors of this pathway in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joycelyn J X Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore.
| | - Jack J Chan
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore.
| | - Su Pin Choo
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore.
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Bupathi M, Kaseb A, Meric-Bernstam F, Naing A. Hepatocellular carcinoma: Where there is unmet need. Mol Oncol 2015; 9:1501-9. [PMID: 26160430 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex and heterogeneous tumor most commonly associated with underlying chronic liver disease, especially hepatitis. It is a growing problem in the United States and worldwide. There are two potential ways to prevent HCC. Primary prevention which is based on vaccination or secondary prevention involving agents that slow down carcinogenesis. Several pathways have been thought to play a role in the development of HCC; specifically, those involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis, WNT, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and c-MET. Currently, there are only a limited number of drugs which have been proven as effective treatment options for HCC and several clinical trials are testing drugs which target aberrations in the pathways mentioned above. In this review, we discuss currently approved therapies, monotherapies and combination therapy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manojkumar Bupathi
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ahmed Kaseb
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aung Naing
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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46
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Porta C, Giglione P, Ferrari A, Reversi F, Liguigli W, Imarisio I, Ganini C. Tivantinib (ARQ197) in hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2015; 15:615-622. [DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2015.1050383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
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Bozza C, Fontanella C, Buoro V, Mansutti M, Aprile G. Novel antiangiogenic drugs for the management of breast cancer: new approaches for an old issue? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2015; 8:251-65. [PMID: 25597501 DOI: 10.1586/17512433.2015.1001837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Since angiogenesis plays an important role in cancer growth, infiltration and metastasis, many agents targeting this pathway have been developed over the last decade. Antiangiogenic drugs interfere with this process and may inhibit neoplastic growth or induce tumor dormancy by blocking the expanding network of newly formed capillaries. Despite the initial promise, targeting angiogenesis in breast cancer has not reached major breakthroughs. Nevertheless, the immunologic role of VEGF deserves to be further explored. We aim to describe the biological mechanisms which underlie the role of angiogenesis in breast cancer carcinogenesis, to depict its contribution to the metastatic process and to review the most important clinical trials testing angiogenic inhibitors in breast cancer, including monoclonal antibodies and novel small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bozza
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
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