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Koch JP, Roth SM, Quintin A, Gavini J, Orlando E, Riedo R, Pozzato C, Hayrapetyan L, Aebersold R, Stroka DM, Aebersold DM, Medo M, Zimmer Y, Medová M. A DNA-PK phosphorylation site on MET regulates its signaling interface with the DNA damage response. Oncogene 2023; 42:2113-2125. [PMID: 37188738 PMCID: PMC10289896 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) is intertwined with signaling pathways downstream of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). To drive research into the application of targeted therapies as radiosensitizers, a better understanding of this molecular crosstalk is necessary. We present here the characterization of a previously unreported MET RTK phosphosite, Serine 1016 (S1016) that represents a potential DDR-MET interface. MET S1016 phosphorylation increases in response to irradiation and is mainly targeted by DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Phosphoproteomics unveils an impact of the S1016A substitution on the overall long-term cell cycle regulation following DNA damage. Accordingly, the abrogation of this phosphosite strongly perturbs the phosphorylation of proteins involved in the cell cycle and formation of the mitotic spindle, enabling cells to bypass a G2 arrest upon irradiation and leading to the entry into mitosis despite compromised genome integrity. This results in the formation of abnormal mitotic spindles and a lower proliferation rate. Altogether, the current data uncover a novel signaling mechanism through which the DDR uses a growth factor receptor system for regulating and maintaining genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas P Koch
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Selina M Roth
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Quintin
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Gavini
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Orlando
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Riedo
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Pozzato
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Liana Hayrapetyan
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ruedi Aebersold
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Deborah M Stroka
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel M Aebersold
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matúš Medo
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yitzhak Zimmer
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.
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Lan Y, Liang Y, Xiao X, Shi Y, Zhu M, Meng C, Yang S, Khan MT, Zhang YJ. Stoichioproteomics study of differentially expressed proteins and pathways in head and neck cancer. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e249424. [PMID: 34730606 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.249424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a prominent feature of head and neck cancer. However, the oxygen element characteristics of proteins and how they adapt to hypoxia microenvironments of head and neck cancer are still unknown. Human genome sequences and proteins expressed data of head and neck cancer were retrieved from pathology atlas of Human Protein Atlas project. Then compared the oxygen and carbon element contents between proteomes of head and neck cancer and normal oral mucosa-squamous epithelial cells, genome locations, pathways, and functional dissection associated with head and neck cancer were also studied. A total of 902 differentially expressed proteins were observed where the average oxygen content is higher than that of the lowly expressed proteins in head and neck cancer proteins. Further, the average oxygen content of the up regulated proteins was 2.54% higher than other. None of their coding genes were distributed on the Y chromosome. The up regulated proteins were enriched in endocytosis, apoptosis and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. The increased oxygen contents of the highly expressed and the up regulated proteins might be caused by frequent activity of cytoskeleton and adapted to the rapid growth and fast division of the head and neck cancer cells. The oxygen usage bias and key proteins may help us to understand the mechanisms behind head and neck cancer in targeted therapy, which lays a foundation for the application of stoichioproteomics in targeted therapy and provides promise for potential treatments for head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Lan
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Y Liang
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - X Xiao
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Y Shi
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - M Zhu
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - C Meng
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - S Yang
- Ningxia University, School of Life Sciences, Xixia, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - M T Khan
- The University of Lahore-Pakistan, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Y J Zhang
- Chongqing Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Shapingba, Chongqing, P.R. China
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3
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Guo N, Liang J, Gao X, Yang X, Fan X, Zhao Y. Overexpressed HGF promotes metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck through the PI3K/Akt and JNK signaling pathways. Future Oncol 2021; 17:4527-4543. [PMID: 34435890 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The role of HGF in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is not clear. Methods: Reverse transcription PCR, western blotting, gelatin zymography, immunohistochemistry, actin polymerization, chemotaxis and migration assays were used in the authors' study. Results: HGF expression level was upregulated in SCCHN cells, which was associated with clinical stage; tumor, node, metastasis classification; and lymphatic invasion. SCCHN cells with high Met expression were sensitive to cell invasion, which was blocked by inhibiting PI3K/Akt and JNK. HGF induced MMP9 expression and enhanced its activity. Akt induced the activation of JNK through the PI3K/Akt and JNK signaling pathways. Conclusion: HGF upregulates MMP9 through the activation of the PI3K/Akt and JNK signaling pathways in SCCHN cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Guo
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiwang Liang
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinlong Fan
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuejiao Zhao
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
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Combinatorial approaches targeting the EGFR family and c-Met in SCCHN. Oral Oncol 2020; 112:105074. [PMID: 33142224 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop novel combinations of inhibitors targeting EGFR family members and c-Met for the treatment of recurrent SCCHN. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three different c-Met inhibitors in combination with a pan-HER inhibitor (crizotinib/afatinib, tivantinib/afatinib and cabozantinib/afatinib) were investigated for their anti-tumor effects on SCCHN cell lines in vitro. In vivo activity of the combinations was tested in SCCHN cell line xenografts and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) animal models generated from patients with recurrent SCCHN. RESULTS Western blot assay indicated that activation of EGFR, HER2, HER3, and c-Met was blocked by all three combinations and the downstream PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways were inhibited. Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay revealed SCCHN cell growth was more effectively inhibited by the combinations than by single agents, particularly in cell lines with high c-Met expression. Furthermore, the combinations were more potent in inducing apoptosis than each of the single agents. In the PDX models, the combination treatments exhibited significantly better efficacy in tumor growth inhibition compared to the respective single agents. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we demonstrated that the simultaneous targeting of EGFR, HER2, and c-Met is more effective than the individual inhibition of these targets in vitro and in SCCHN cell line xenograft and PDX models. Our findings pave the way for further clinical investigation of such combinations in SCCHN.
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5
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Nisa L, Francica P, Giger R, Medo M, Elicin O, Friese-Hamim M, Wilm C, Stroh C, Bojaxhiu B, Quintin A, Caversaccio MD, Dettmer MS, Buchwalder M, Brodie TM, Aebersold DM, Zimmer Y, Carey TE, Medová M. Targeting the MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase as a Strategy for Radiosensitization in Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 19:614-626. [PMID: 31744898 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-1274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) along with surgery is the mainstay of treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Radioresistance represents a major source of treatment failure, underlining the urgent necessity to explore and implement effective radiosensitization strategies. The MET receptor widely participates in the acquisition and maintenance of an aggressive phenotype in HNSCC and modulates the DNA damage response following ionizing radiation (IR). Here, we assessed MET expression and mutation status in primary and metastatic lesions within a cohort of patients with advanced HNSCC. Moreover, we investigated the radiosensitization potential of the MET inhibitor tepotinib in a panel of cell lines, in vitro and in vivo, as well as in ex vivo patient-derived organotypic tissue cultures (OTC). MET was highly expressed in 62.4% of primary tumors and in 53.6% of lymph node metastases (LNM), and in 6 of 9 evaluated cell lines. MET expression in primaries and LNMs was significantly associated with decreased disease control in univariate survival analyses. Tepotinib abrogated MET phosphorylation and to distinct extent MET downstream signaling. Pretreatment with tepotinib resulted in variable radiosensitization, enhanced DNA damage, cell death, and G2-M-phase arrest. Combination of tepotinib with IR led to significant radiosensitization in one of two tested in vivo models. OTCs revealed differential patterns of response toward tepotinib, irradiation, and combination of both modalities. The molecular basis of tepotinib-mediated radiosensitization was studied by a CyTOF-based single-cell mass cytometry approach, which uncovered that MET inhibition modulated PI3K activity in cells radiosensitized by tepotinib but not in the resistant ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lluís Nisa
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paola Francica
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Giger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matúš Medo
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olgun Elicin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manja Friese-Hamim
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology, Merck HealthCare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Claudia Wilm
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology, Merck HealthCare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christopher Stroh
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology, Merck HealthCare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Beat Bojaxhiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Quintin
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marco D Caversaccio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Mélanie Buchwalder
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tess M Brodie
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Mass Cytometry Facility, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel M Aebersold
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yitzhak Zimmer
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas E Carey
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Brodie TM, Tosevski V, Medová M. OMIP-045: Characterizing human head and neck tumors and cancer cell lines with mass cytometry. Cytometry A 2018; 93:406-410. [PMID: 29648681 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tess M Brodie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland.,Mass Cytometry Facility, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vinko Tosevski
- Mass Cytometry Facility, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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7
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Parikh PK, Ghate MD. Recent advances in the discovery of small molecule c-Met Kinase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 143:1103-1138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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8
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Prognostic value of c-MET in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregate data. Oral Oncol 2017; 74:68-76. [PMID: 29103754 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) ligand/receptor axis has been implicated in pathogenesis of malignant diseases including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Overexpression of c-MET has been reported as a common molecular abnormality in SCCHN, although its prognostic and predictive value remains to be validated. METHODS We systematically searched literature for studies evaluating c-MET expression on immunohistochemistry in newly diagnosed, non-metastatic SCCHN. The c-MET expressing cases were classified into three categories according to predefined cut-off values for positivity. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of c-MET expression and its relationship with selected clinicopathological variables. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies with 2019 cases were included. Relative frequencies of c-MET expression above cut-off levels I, II, and III were 81.8%, 63.8%, and 46.2%, respectively. Differences between these three values were statistically significant (p<1.0×10-6). Above cut-off level II, c-MET positivity was associated with worse overall survival (p=4.0×10-6), positive nodal status (p=1.0×10-4), higher disease stage (p=7.0×10-4), older age (p=2.1×10-3), disease recurrence (p=2.0×10-2), and primary tumour localization in the oral cavity (p=2.3×10-2). Above cut-off level III, c-MET positivity was associated with worse disease-free or progression-free survival (p=9.0×10-6), p16 negativity (p=2.4×10-4), worse overall survival (p=4.0×10-4), positive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status (p=7.2×10-4), and larger primary tumours (p=4.6×10-3). CONCLUSION In SCCHN, immunohistochemical overexpression of c-MET above cut-off levels III and particularly II was associated with inferior survival outcomes and advanced disease. Moreover, it represents a promising predictive biomarker for c-MET targeting, yet the optimal scoring method remains to be defined.
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9
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Rothenberger NJ, Stabile LP. Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Signaling in Head and Neck Cancer and Implications for Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9040039. [PMID: 28441771 PMCID: PMC5406714 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant signaling of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met pathway has been identified as a promoter of tumorigenesis in several tumor types including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite a relatively low c-Met mutation frequency, overexpression of HGF and its receptor c-Met has been observed in more than 80% of HNSCC tumors, with preclinical and clinical studies linking overexpression with cellular proliferation, invasion, migration, and poor prognosis. c-Met is activated by HGF through a paracrine mechanism to promote cellular morphogenesis enabling cells to acquire mesenchymal phenotypes in part through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, contributing to metastasis. The HGF/c-Met pathway may also act as a resistance mechanism against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition in advanced HNSCC. Furthermore, with the identification of a biologically distinct subset of HNSCC tumors acquired from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that generally portends a good prognosis, high expression of HGF or c-Met in HPV-negative tumors has been associated with worse prognosis. Dysregulated HGF/c-Met signaling results in an aggressive HNSCC phenotype which has led to clinical investigations for targeted inhibition of this pathway. In this review, HGF/c-Met signaling, pathway alterations, associations with clinical outcomes, and preclinical and clinical therapeutic strategies for targeting HGF/c-Met signaling in HNSCC are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Rothenberger
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Laura P Stabile
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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10
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Szturz P, Raymond E, Abitbol C, Albert S, de Gramont A, Faivre S. Understanding c-MET signalling in squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 111:39-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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11
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Qian G, Wang D, Magliocca KR, Hu Z, Nannapaneni S, Kim S, Chen Z, Sun SY, Shin DM, Saba NF, Chen ZG. Human papillomavirus oncoprotein E6 upregulates c-Met through p53 downregulation. Eur J Cancer 2016; 65:21-32. [PMID: 27451021 PMCID: PMC5002257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) carries a distinct clinical behaviour. c-Met oncogene is an important driver for tumour progression and its relationship with HPV in OPSCC was explored in the present study. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Knockdown of HPV oncogene E6 or p53 alone and in combination was performed to examine their effects on c-Met expression by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of c-Met inhibition on cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation were examined in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. Retrospectively collected OPSCC patient specimens (N = 78) were stained for c-Met by immunohistochemistry and the staining levels were correlated with HPV status and patient outcomes. RESULTS E6 knockdown decreased c-Met protein and mRNA expression in HPV-positive HNSCC cells, which was partially abolished by the elimination of p53. Reducing c-Met decreased cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation in HPV-positive HNSCC cells. In OPSCC patient samples, high c-Met expression was associated with HPV-positive status (OR = 4.11, 95%CI: 1.16-14.55, P = 0.028) and tumour stage (OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.08-0.93, P = 0.039) by multivariable analysis. In T3/T4 stage patients, high c-Met expression was associated with HPV positivity and low p53 levels, supporting an axis of E6-p53-c-Met regulation. Furthermore, high c-Met expression was marginally associated with poor disease-free survival in HPV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that c-Met may serve as a novel target for treating HPV-associated OPSCC. The data also demonstrate that HPV E6 upregulates c-Met expression partially through p53 downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Qian
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Zhongliang Hu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Pathology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Sreenivas Nannapaneni
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Zhengjia Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shi-Yong Sun
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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12
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Minuti G, Landi L. MET deregulation in breast cancer. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2015; 3:181. [PMID: 26366398 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.06.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is an oncogene encoding for a trans-membrane tyrosine kinase receptor activated by the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). MET has a normal function in organ development during embryogenesis and in tissue homeostasis during adult life. Deregulation of HGF/MET signaling pathway is frequently observed in many cancer types, conferring invasive growth and tendency to progression. MET deregulation is due to gene amplification or increased copy number, gene mutation, receptor over-expression or ligand autocrine loops activation. These events lead to migration, invasion, proliferation, metastatic spread and neo-angiogenesis of cancer cells, suggesting that anti-HGF/MET agents may represent a potential antitumor strategy. In breast cancer (BC), preclinical and clinical data demonstrated the role of HGF/MET signalling pathway in carcinogenesis, disease progression and resistance features. METHODS For this review article, all published data on HGF/MET in BC were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Several evidences underline that, in early BC, MET over-expression has an independent negative prognostic significance, regardless of method used for evaluation and BC subtypes. Available data suggest that MET is a relevant target particularly in basal-like (BL) and in triple negative BC. Moreover, preclinical and retrospective data support the critical role of MET deregulation in the development of resistance to target-agents, such as anti-HER2 strategies. CONCLUSIONS MET is a promising new target in BC. Several anti-MET agents are under investigation and ongoing clinical trials will clarify its relevance in BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Minuti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Civil Hospital of Livorno, Livorno, Italy
| | - Lorenza Landi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Civil Hospital of Livorno, Livorno, Italy
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CoMFA and CoMSIA studies on 6,7-disubstituted-4-phenoxyquinoline derivatives as c-Met kinase inhibitors and anticancer agents. Med Chem Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-015-1450-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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14
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Suppression of Aurora-A-FLJ10540 signaling axis prohibits the malignant state of head and neck cancer. Mol Cancer 2015; 14:83. [PMID: 25889801 PMCID: PMC4403844 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-015-0348-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a highly invasive cancer. Aurora-A has been reported for a number of malignancies. However, the identity of downstream effectors responsible for its aggressive phenotype in HNC remains underinvestigated. Methods The mRNA and protein expression levels of Aurora-A and FLJ10540 were assessed in HNC specimens and cell lines using RT-qPCR, western blot, Oncomine, and microarray database analysis. The downstream molecular mechanisms of Aurora-A were confirmed by RT-qPCR, western blot, luciferase reporter, confocal microscopy analyses, immunoprecipitation, colony formation, cell viability, and xenograft model. Cellular functions in response to Aurora-A-modulated downstream targets such as FLJ10540 and MMPs were examined in vitro and in vivo, including cell growth, motility and chemosensitivity. Aurora-A/FLJ10540/MMPs expression was determined in cancer and adjacent normal tissues from HNC patients by immunohistochemistry approach. Results In the current study, Aurora-A exhibited similar gene expression profiles with FLJ10540 by using accessibly public microarray and Oncomine database analysis, raising the possibility that these molecules might coordinately participate in cancer progression and metastasis of HNC. These two molecules connection were also examined in cell lines and tissues of HNC. Aurora-A overexpression could not only bind to the promoter of FLJ10540 to induce FLJ10540 expression, but also increase both mRNA and protein levels of MMP-7 and MMP-10 in HNC cells. Conversely, depletion of Aurora-A expression by using siRNA or Aurora-A kinase inhibitor, MLN8237, suppressed FLJ10540, MMP-7 and MMP-10 mRNA and protein expressions in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the FLJ10540-PI3K complex was destroyed by inhibition the Aurora-A kinase activity. Forced overexpression of FLJ10540 in Aurora-A-depleted or in MLN8237-treated HNC cells attenuated the effect on cytotoxicity to cisplatin. Elevated Aurora-A expression in HNC cells led to the characteristics of more aggressive malignancy, including enhanced chemoresistance and increased the abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion, which was required for FLJ10540/MMP-7 or FLJ10540/MMP-10 expressions. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of human HNC specimens showed a significant positively correlation among Aurora-A, FLJ10540, MMP-7 and MMP-10 expressions. Conclusion Together, our findings define a novel mechanism by which Aurora-A promotes cell malignancy, with potential implications for understanding the clinical action of Aurora-A. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0348-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Profiling invasiveness in head and neck cancer: recent contributions of genomic and transcriptomic approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:585-97. [PMID: 25836654 PMCID: PMC4491672 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7020585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput molecular profiling approaches have emerged as precious research tools in the field of head and neck translational oncology. Such approaches have identified and/or confirmed the role of several genes or pathways in the acquisition/maintenance of an invasive phenotype and the execution of cellular programs related to cell invasion. Recently published new-generation sequencing studies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have unveiled prominent roles in carcinogenesis and cell invasion of mutations involving NOTCH1 and PI3K-patwhay components. Gene-expression profiling studies combined with systems biology approaches have allowed identifying and gaining further mechanistic understanding into pathways commonly enriched in invasive HNSCC. These pathways include antigen-presenting and leucocyte adhesion molecules, as well as genes involved in cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Here we review the major insights into invasiveness in head and neck cancer provided by high-throughput molecular profiling approaches.
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