Effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the level of Survivin & XIAP expression in several human cancer cell lines, after treating with DNA damaging agent

Pancreatic stellate cells increase pancreatic cancer cells invasion through the hepatocyte growth factor /c-Met/survivin regulated by P53/P21

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are a key cellular component of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment and are considered to contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis. Multiple cytokines and growth factors derived from PSCs are involved in malignant cancer progression, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). However, the molecular mechanisms by which HGF regulates cancer invasion and metastasis have not been completely elucidated. Here, we report that two pancreatic cancer (PC) cell lines, Panc-1 and SW1990, displayed different invasive and migratory abilities after treatment with HGF secreted by PSCs. We found that HGF enhanced the invasive and migratory capacity of Panc-1 cells because of P53 deficiency, leading to overexpression of c-Met, which was regulated through P21. Additionally, our data showed that HGF/c-Met-mediated invasion and migration required the upregulation of survivin expression. In conclusion, PSCs promote PC cells invasion and migration via the HGF/c-Met/survivin pathway, which is negatively regulated by P53/P21.

Met kinetic signature derived from the response to HGF/SF in a cellular model predicts breast cancer patient survival

To determine the signaling pathways leading from Met activation to metastasis and poor prognosis, we measured the kinetic gene alterations in breast cancer cell lines in response to HGF/SF. Using a network inference tool we analyzed the putative protein-protein interaction pathways leading from Met to these genes and studied their specificity to Met and prognostic potential. We identified a Met kinetic signature consisting of 131 genes. The signature correlates with Met activation and with response to anti-Met therapy (p<0.005) in in-vitro models. It also identifies breast cancer patients who are at high risk to develop an aggressive disease in six large published breast cancer patient cohorts (p<0.01, N>1000). Moreover, we have identified novel putative Met pathways, which correlate with Met activity and patient prognosis. This signature may facilitate personalized therapy by identifying patients who will respond to anti-Met therapy. Moreover, this novel approach may be applied for other tyrosine kinases and other malignancies.