1
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Altintas DM, Comoglio PM. An Observatory for the MET Oncogene: A Guide for Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4672. [PMID: 37760640 PMCID: PMC10526818 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The MET proto-oncogene encodes a pivotal tyrosine kinase receptor, binding the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, also known as scatter factor, SF) and governing essential biological processes such as organogenesis, tissue repair, and angiogenesis. The pleiotropic physiological functions of MET explain its diverse role in cancer progression in a broad range of tumors; genetic/epigenetic alterations of MET drive tumor cell dissemination, metastasis, and acquired resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. Therefore, targeting MET emerged as a promising strategy, and many efforts were devoted to identifying the optimal way of hampering MET signaling. Despite encouraging results, however, the complexity of MET's functions in oncogenesis yields intriguing observations, fostering a humbler stance on our comprehension. This review explores recent discoveries concerning MET alterations in cancer, elucidating their biological repercussions, discussing therapeutic avenues, and outlining future directions. By contextualizing the research question and articulating the study's purpose, this work navigates MET biology's intricacies in cancer, offering a comprehensive perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo M. Comoglio
- IFOM ETS—The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139 Milano, Italy;
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2
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Despite a dearth of activating driver mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), aberrant activation of the oncogenes, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and c-Met is near-universal in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative disease. Although EGFR activation drove the successful development of the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab in HNSCC, no c-Met-targeting therapy has gained regulatory approval. Inhibition of the c-Met pathway may subvert oncogenesis within the tumor-intrinsic compartment, blocking tumoral proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis, or the tumor-extrinsic compartment, modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the rationale and current drug development strategies for targeting c-Met or its exclusive ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in HNSCC.
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3
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Fu J, Su X, Li Z, Deng L, Liu X, Feng X, Peng J. HGF/c-MET pathway in cancer: from molecular characterization to clinical evidence. Oncogene 2021; 40:4625-4651. [PMID: 34145400 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01863-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review provides a comprehensive landscape of HGF/c-MET (hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) /mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET)) signaling pathway in cancers. First, we generalize the compelling influence of HGF/c-MET pathway on multiple cellular processes. Then, we present the genomic characterization of HGF/c-MET pathway in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we extensively illustrate the malignant biological behaviors of HGF/c-MET pathway in cancers, in which hyperactive HGF/c-MET signaling is considered as a hallmark. In addition, we investigate the current clinical trials of HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy in cancers. We find that although HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy has led to breakthroughs in certain cancers, monotherapy of targeting HGF/c-MET has failed to demonstrate significant clinical efficacy in most cancers. With the advantage of the combinations of HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy, the exploration of more options of combinational targeted therapy in cancers may be the major challenge in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjiang Fu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorui Su
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Deng
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiawei Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuancheng Feng
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Juan Peng
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China.
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4
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Yao HP, Tong XM, Wang MH. Oncogenic mechanism-based pharmaceutical validation of therapeutics targeting MET receptor tyrosine kinase. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211006957. [PMID: 33868463 PMCID: PMC8020248 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211006957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression and/or activation of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase is
characterized by genomic recombination, gene amplification, activating mutation,
alternative exon-splicing, increased transcription, and their different
combinations. These dysregulations serve as oncogenic determinants contributing
to cancerous initiation, progression, malignancy, and stemness. Moreover,
integration of the MET pathway into the cellular signaling network as an
addiction mechanism for survival has made this receptor an attractive
pharmaceutical target for oncological intervention. For the last 20 years,
MET-targeting small-molecule kinase inhibitors (SMKIs), conventional therapeutic
monoclonal antibodies (TMABs), and antibody-based biotherapeutics such as
bispecific antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), and dual-targeting ADCs
have been under intensive investigation. Outcomes from preclinical studies and
clinical trials are mixed with certain successes but also various setbacks. Due
to the complex nature of MET dysregulation with multiple facets and underlying
mechanisms, mechanism-based validation of MET-targeting therapeutics is crucial
for the selection and validation of lead candidates for clinical trials. In this
review, we discuss the importance of various types of mechanism-based
pharmaceutical models in evaluation of different types of MET-targeting
therapeutics. The advantages and disadvantages of these mechanism-based
strategies for SMKIs, conventional TMABs, and antibody-based biotherapeutics are
analyzed. The demand for establishing new strategies suitable for validating
novel biotherapeutics is also discussed. The information summarized should
provide a pharmaceutical guideline for selection and validation of MET-targeting
therapeutics for clinical application in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Min Tong
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital and People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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5
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Guo R, Luo J, Chang J, Rekhtman N, Arcila M, Drilon A. MET-dependent solid tumours - molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:569-587. [PMID: 32514147 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0377-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Attempts to develop MET-targeted therapies have historically focused on MET-expressing cancers, with limited success. Thus, MET expression in the absence of a genomic marker of MET dependence is a poor predictor of benefit from MET-targeted therapy. However, owing to the development of more sensitive methods of detecting genomic alterations, high-level MET amplification and activating MET mutations or fusions are all now known to be drivers of oncogenesis. MET mutations include those affecting the kinase or extracellular domains and those that result in exon 14 skipping. The activity of MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors varies by MET alteration category. The likelihood of benefit from MET-targeted therapies increases with increasing levels of MET amplification, although no consensus exists on the optimal diagnostic cut-off point for MET copy number gains identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization and, in particular, next-generation sequencing. Several agents targeting exon 14 skipping alterations are currently in clinical development, with promising data available from early-phase trials. By contrast, the therapeutic implications of MET fusions remain underexplored. Here we summarize and evaluate the utility of various diagnostic techniques and the roles of different classes of MET-targeted therapies in cancers with MET amplification, mutation and fusion, and MET overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Guo
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Luo
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Chang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Rekhtman
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Arcila
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Drilon
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Wang H, Rao B, Lou J, Li J, Liu Z, Li A, Cui G, Ren Z, Yu Z. The Function of the HGF/c-Met Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:55. [PMID: 32117981 PMCID: PMC7018668 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, leading to a large global cancer burden. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its high-affinity receptor, mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met), are closely related to the onset, progression, and metastasis of multiple tumors. The HGF/c-Met axis is involved in cell proliferation, movement, differentiation, invasion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis by activating multiple downstream signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the function of the HGF/c-Met axis in HCC. The HGF/c-Met axis promotes the onset, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. Moreover, it can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as a therapeutic target for HCC. In addition, it is closely related to drug resistance during HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Benchen Rao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Lou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jianhao Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangying Cui
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zujiang Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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7
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Lambda-Carrageenan Enhances the Effects of Radiation Therapy in Cancer Treatment by Suppressing Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis through Racgap1 Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081192. [PMID: 31426369 PMCID: PMC6721563 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is used extensively in cancer treatment, but radioresistance and the metastatic potential of cancer cells that survive radiation remain critical issues. There is a need for novel treatments to improve radiotherapy. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic benefit of λ-carrageenan (CGN) to enhance the efficacy of radiation treatment and investigated the underlying molecular mechanism. CGN treatment decreased viability in irradiated cancer cells and enhanced reactive oxygen species accumulation, apoptosis, and polyploid formation. Additionally, CGN suppressed radiation-induced chemoinvasion and invasive growth in 3D lrECM culture. We also screened target molecules using a gene expression microarray analysis and focused on Rac GTPase-activating protein 1 (RacGAP1). Protein expression of RacGAP1 was upregulated in several cancer cell lines after radiation, which was significantly suppressed by CGN treatment. Knockdown of RacGAP1 decreased cell viability and invasiveness after radiation. Overexpression of RacGAP1 partially rescued CGN cytotoxicity. In a mouse xenograft model, local irradiation followed by CGN treatment significantly decreased tumor growth and lung metastasis compared to either treatment alone. Taken together, these results suggest that CGN may enhance the effectiveness of radiation in cancer therapy by decreasing cancer cell viability and suppressing both radiation-induced invasive activity and distal metastasis through downregulating RacGAP1 expression.
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8
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The significance of gene mutations across eight major cancer types. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2019; 781:88-99. [PMID: 31416581 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mutations occur spontaneously, which can be induced by either chemicals (e.g. benzene) or biological factors (e.g. virus). Not all mutations cause noticeable changes in cellular functions. However, mutation in key cellular genes leads to developmental disorders. It is one of the main ways in which proto-oncogenes can be changed into their oncogenic state. The progressive accumulation of multiple mutations throughout life leads to cancer. In the past few decades, extensive research on cancer biology has discovered many genes and pathways having role in cancer development. In this review, we tried to summarize the current knowledge of mutational effect on different cancer types and its consequences in brief for future reference and guidance of researchers in cancer biology.
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9
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The multiple paths towards MET receptor addiction in cancer. Oncogene 2018; 37:3200-3215. [PMID: 29551767 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapies against receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are currently used with success on a small proportion of patients displaying clear oncogene activation. Lung cancers with a mutated EGFR provide a good illustration. The efficacy of targeted treatments relies on oncogene addiction, a situation in which the growth or survival of the cancer cells depends on a single deregulated oncogene. MET, a member of the RTK family, is a promising target because it displays many deregulations in a broad panel of cancers. Although clinical trials having evaluated MET inhibitors in large populations have yielded disappointing results, many recent case reports suggest that MET inhibition may be effective in a subset of patients with unambiguous MET activation and thus, most probably, oncogene addiction. Interestingly, preclinical studies have revealed a particularity of MET addiction: it can arise through several mechanisms, and the mechanism involved can differ according to the cancer type. The present review describes the different mechanisms of MET addiction and their consequences for diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. Although in each cancer type MET addiction affects a restricted number of patients, pooling of these patients across all cancer types yields a targetable population liable to benefit from addiction-targeting therapies.
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10
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Saintigny P, William WN, Foy JP, Papadimitrakopoulou V, Lang W, Zhang L, Fan YH, Feng L, Kim ES, El-Naggar AK, Lee JJ, Mao L, Hong WK, Lingen MW, Lippman SM. Met Receptor Tyrosine Kinase and Chemoprevention of Oral Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2018; 110:4243526. [PMID: 29617836 PMCID: PMC5946820 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djx186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have previously shown that gene expression profiles of oral leukoplakia (OL) may improve the prediction of oral cancer (OC) risk. To identify new targets for prevention, we performed a systematic survey of transcripts associated with an increased risk of oral cancer and overexpressed in OC vs normal mucosa (NM). Methods We used gene expression profiles of 86 patients with OL and available outcomes from a chemoprevention trial of OC and NM. MET expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in 120 OL patients, and its association with OC development was tested in multivariable analysis. Sensitivity to pharmacological Met inhibition was tested invitro in premalignant and OC cell lines (n = 33) and invivo using the 4-NQO model of oral chemoprevention (n = 20 mice per group). All statistical tests were two-sided. Results The overlap of 693 transcripts associated with an increased risk of OC with 163 transcripts overexpressed in OC compared with NM led to the identification of 23 overlapping transcripts, including MET. MET overexpression in OL was associated with a hazard ratio of 3.84 (95% confidence interval = 1.59 to 9.27, P = .003) of developing OC. Met activation was found in OC and preneoplastic cell lines. Crizotinib activity in preneoplastic and OC cell lines was comparable. ARQ 197 was more active in preneoplastic compared with OC cell lines. In the 4-NQO model, squamous cell carcinoma, dysplasia, and hyperkeratosis were observed in 75.0%, 15.0%, and 10.0% in the control group, and in 25.0%, 70.0%, and 5.0% in the crizotinib group (P < .001). Conclusion Together, these data suggest that MET activation may represent an early driver in oral premalignancy and a target for chemoprevention of OC.
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MESH Headings
- 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide/toxicity
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/prevention & control
- Case-Control Studies
- Cell Proliferation
- Crizotinib/pharmacology
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genomics
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/prevention & control
- Humans
- Leukoplakia, Oral/metabolism
- Leukoplakia, Oral/pathology
- Leukoplakia, Oral/prevention & control
- Male
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Middle Aged
- Mouth Mucosa/drug effects
- Mouth Mucosa/metabolism
- Mouth Mucosa/pathology
- Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism
- Mouth Neoplasms/pathology
- Mouth Neoplasms/prevention & control
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Precancerous Conditions/metabolism
- Precancerous Conditions/pathology
- Precancerous Conditions/prevention & control
- Prognosis
- Prospective Studies
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism
- Pyrrolidinones/pharmacology
- Quinolines/pharmacology
- Quinolones/toxicity
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Saintigny
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052-CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
- Department of Medicine, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - William N William
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jean-Philippe Foy
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052-CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
- Department of Medicine, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Wenhua Lang
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Li Zhang
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - You Hong Fan
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lei Feng
- Biostatistics, Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Edward S Kim
- Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC
| | - Adel K El-Naggar
- Biostatistics, Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - J Jack Lee
- Biostatistics, Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Li Mao
- Oncology and Diagnostic Science, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD
| | - Waun Ki Hong
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Mark W Lingen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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11
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Activated HGF-c-Met Axis in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9120169. [PMID: 29231907 PMCID: PMC5742817 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9120169] [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: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly morbid disease. Recent developments including Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved molecular targeted agent’s pembrolizumab and cetuximab show promise but did not improve the five-year survival which is currently less than 40%. The hepatocyte growth factor receptor; also known as mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (c-Met) and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); and regulates tumor progression and response to therapy. The c-Met pathway has been shown to regulate many cellular processes such as cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. The c-Met pathway is involved in cross-talk, activation, and perpetuation of other signaling pathways, curbing the cogency of a blockade molecule on a single pathway. The receptor and its ligand act on several downstream effectors including phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ), cellular Src kinase (c-Src), phosphotidylinsitol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), mitogen activate protein kinase (MAPK), and wingless-related integration site (Wnt) pathways. They are also known to cross-talk with other receptors; namely epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and specifically contribute to treatment resistance. Clinical trials targeting the c-Met axis in HNSCC have been undertaken because of significant preclinical work demonstrating a relationship between HGF/c-Met signaling and cancer cell survival. Here we focus on HGF/c-Met impact on cellular signaling in HNSCC to potentiate tumor growth and disrupt therapeutic efficacy. Herein we summarize the current understanding of HGF/c-Met signaling and its effects on HNSCC. The intertwining of c-Met signaling with other signaling pathways provides opportunities for more robust and specific therapies, leading to better clinical outcomes.
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12
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Tovar EA, Graveel CR. MET in human cancer: germline and somatic mutations. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2017; 5:205. [PMID: 28603720 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2017.03.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Since the initial discovery of missense MET mutations in hereditary papillary renal carcinoma (HPRC), activating MET mutations have been identified in a diverse range of human cancers. MET mutations have been identified in several functional domains including the kinase, juxtamembrane, and Sema domains. Studies of these mutations have been invaluable for our understanding of the tumor initiating activity of MET, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) recycling and regulation, and mechanisms of resistance to kinase inhibition. These studies also demonstrate that mutationally activated MET plays a significant role in a wide range of cancers and RTKs can promote tumor progression through diverse mechanisms. This review will cover the various MET mutations that have been identified, their mechanism of action, and the significant role that mutationally-activated MET plays in tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Tovar
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Carrie R Graveel
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
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13
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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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14
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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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15
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Hartmann S, Bhola NE, Grandis JR. HGF/Met Signaling in Head and Neck Cancer: Impact on the Tumor Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:4005-13. [PMID: 27370607 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Studies to date have revealed several major molecular alterations that contribute to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) initiation, progression, metastatic spread, and therapeutic failure. The EGFR is the only FDA-approved therapeutic target, yet responses to cetuximab have been limited. Activation and cross-talk of cellular receptors and consequent activation of different signaling pathways contribute to limited activity of blockade of a single pathway. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, Met, has been implicated in HNSCC tumorigenesis and EGFR inhibitor resistance. HGF, the sole ligand of Met, is overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment. The role of HGF/Met signaling in proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis has been investigated in HNSCC, leading to clinical trials with various Met inhibitors and HGF antibodies. However, the role of the HGF/Met signaling axis in mediating the tumor microenvironment has been relatively understudied in HNSCC. In this review, we discuss the functional roles of Met and HGF in HNSCC with a focus on the tumor microenvironment and the immune system. Clin Cancer Res; 22(16); 4005-13. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hartmann
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Neil E Bhola
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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16
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Cataisson C, Michalowski AM, Shibuya K, Ryscavage A, Klosterman M, Wright L, Dubois W, Liu F, Zhuang A, Rodrigues KB, Hoover S, Dwyer J, Simpson MR, Merlino G, Yuspa SH. MET signaling in keratinocytes activates EGFR and initiates squamous carcinogenesis. Sci Signal 2016; 9:ra62. [PMID: 27330189 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaf5106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MET is abundant in many human squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), but its functional significance in tumorigenesis is not clear. We found that the incidence of carcinogen-induced skin squamous tumors was substantially increased in transgenic MT-HGF (mouse metallothionein-hepatocyte growth factor) mice, which have increased abundance of the MET ligand HGF. Squamous tumors also erupted spontaneously on the skin of MT-HGF mice that were promoted by wounding or the application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C. Carcinogen-initiated tumors had Ras mutations, but spontaneous tumors did not. Cultured keratinocytes from MT-HGF mice and oncogenic RAS-transduced keratinocytes shared phenotypic and biochemical features of initiation that were dependent on autocrine activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) through increased synthesis and release of EGFR ligands, which was mediated by the kinase SRC, the pseudoproteases iRhom1 and iRhom2, and the metallopeptidase ADAM17. Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR caused the regression of MT-HGF squamous tumors that developed spontaneously in orthografts of MT-HGF keratinocytes combined with dermal fibroblasts and implanted onto syngeneic mice. The global gene expression profile in MET-transformed keratinocytes was highly concordant with that in RAS-transformed keratinocytes, and a core RAS/MET coexpression network was activated in precancerous and cancerous human skin lesions. Tissue arrays revealed that many human skin SCCs have abundant HGF at both the transcript and protein levels. Thus, through the activation of EGFR, MET activation parallels a RAS pathway to contribute to human and mouse cutaneous cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Cataisson
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aleksandra M Michalowski
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kelly Shibuya
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrew Ryscavage
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mary Klosterman
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lisa Wright
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wendy Dubois
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Fan Liu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anne Zhuang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kameron B Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shelley Hoover
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jennifer Dwyer
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mark R Simpson
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stuart H Yuspa
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Up-front neck dissection followed by definitive (chemo)-radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Rationale, complications, toxicity rates, and oncological outcomes – A systematic review. Radiother Oncol 2016; 119:185-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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18
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Elicin O, Albrecht T, Haynes AG, Bojaxhiu B, Nisa L, Caversaccio M, Dal Pra A, Schmücking M, Aebersold DM, Giger R. Outcomes in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Up-front Neck Dissection prior to (Chemo)Radiotherapy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2015; 154:300-8. [PMID: 26450749 DOI: 10.1177/0194599815608370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our aim was to compare outcomes with and without up-front neck dissection prior to (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN Case series with chart review. SETTING Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Outcomes of oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cases with neck lymph node metastases treated from January 2001 to March 2012 were analyzed. Due to imbalances in baseline characteristics between groups treated with (n = 129) and without (n = 95) up-front neck dissection, propensity score matching was performed. RESULTS Median follow-up was 48 months (range, 12-148). With up-front neck dissection, the hazard ratio for the primary end point, disease-free survival, was 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.37-1.06, P = .08). Up-front neck dissection reduced acute grade ≥3 toxicity significantly when xerostomia was excluded (odds ratio: 0.40, 95% confidence interval: 0.20-0.82, P = .012). CONCLUSION Our results indicate less acute treatment toxicity without any significant difference in terms of oncologic outcome with up-front neck dissection prior to (chemo)radiotherapy as compared with (chemo)radiotherapy alone. Well-designed randomized trials are required to verify this result and further investigate the impact of this strategy on late toxicity and oncologic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olgun Elicin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Albrecht
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alan G Haynes
- Clinical Trials Unit Bern, Department of Clinical Research, and Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Beat Bojaxhiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lluís Nisa
- 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 Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marco Caversaccio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alan Dal Pra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Schmücking
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel M Aebersold
- 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
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Granito A, Guidetti E, Gramantieri L. c-MET receptor tyrosine kinase as a molecular target in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2015; 2:29-38. [PMID: 27508192 PMCID: PMC4918282 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s77038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
c-MET is the membrane receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor or tumor cytotoxic factor, a mitogenic growth factor for hepatocytes. HGF is mainly produced by cells of mesenchymal origin and it mainly acts on neighboring epidermal and endothelial cells, regulating epithelial growth and morphogenesis. HGF/MET signaling has been identified among the drivers of tumorigenesis in human cancers. As such, c-MET is a recognized druggable target, and against it, targeted agents are currently under clinical investigation. c-MET overexpression is a common event in a wide range of human malignancies, including gastric, lung, breast, ovary, colon, kidney, thyroid, and liver carcinomas. Despite c-MET overexpression being reported by a large majority of studies, no evidence for a c-MET oncogenic addiction exists in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In particular, c-MET amplification is a rare event, accounting for 4%–5% of cases while no mutation has been identified in c-MET oncogene in HCC. Thus, the selection of patient subgroups more likely to benefit from c-MET inhibition is challenging. Notwithstanding, c-MET overexpression was reported to be associated with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis in patients with HCC, providing a rationale for its therapeutic inhibition. Here we summarize the role of activated HGF/MET signaling in HCC, its prognostic relevance, and the implications for therapeutic approaches in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Granito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Guidetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Gramantieri
- Dipartimento dell'Apparato Digerente, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata (CRBA), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico S Orsola-Malpighi e Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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20
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Finocchiaro G, Toschi L, Gianoncelli L, Baretti M, Santoro A. Prognostic and predictive value of MET deregulation in non-small cell lung cancer. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2015; 3:83. [PMID: 25992382 PMCID: PMC4416957 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.03.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in cancer biology has led to the discovery of increasing number of oncogene alterations that have dramatically changed the paradigm of lung cancer treatment. MET is a tyrosine kinase receptor for the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that is deregulated in several malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Abnormal MET-HGF signaling pathway activation can occur via different mechanisms, including HGF and/or MET overexpression, MET gene amplification, mutations or rearrangements. MET protein overexpression and increased MET gene number have been identified as poor prognostic factors in several series of surgically resected NSCLC making this receptor an attractive target for cancer treatment. Several clinical trials have recently evaluated the activity of a variety of anti-MET strategies in NSCLC patients with or without molecular selection with a variable degree of success, underscoring the need of establishing the best predictive biomarker for the identification of responding patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Finocchiaro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Toschi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Gianoncelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Baretti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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21
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Bowles DW, McDermott JD, Jimeno A. Novel treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: preclinical identification and clinical investigation. Future Oncol 2015; 10:1065-80. [PMID: 24941990 DOI: 10.2217/fon.14.18] [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: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer worldwide. Classically, it is a disease related to tobacco and alcohol use; an increasing number of patients are being diagnosed with HNSCC caused by infection with the human papillomavirus. New deep-sequencing techniques have confirmed the importance of p53 and EGF receptor in HNSCC development, and have identified pathways of critical importance, such as PI3K/mTOR and NOTCH. Increasing knowledge of key molecular features has lead to new therapeutic avenues for HNSCC. Novel therapies under investigation in HNSCC include antibody and small molecule inhibitors of EGF receptor and its family members, PI3K inhibitors, antiangiogenic agents, immunotherapies and agents interacting with early developmental pathways such as Hedgehog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Bowles
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO, USA
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22
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Egile C, Kenigsberg M, Delaisi C, Bégassat F, Do-Vale V, Mestadier J, Bonche F, Bénard T, Nicolas JP, Valence S, Lefranc C, Francesconi E, Castell C, Lefebvre AM, Nemecek C, Calvet L, Goulaouic H. The selective intravenous inhibitor of the MET tyrosine kinase SAR125844 inhibits tumor growth in MET-amplified cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 14:384-94. [PMID: 25504634 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the MET/HGF pathway is common in human cancer and is thought to promote tumor initiation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to diverse therapies. We report here the pharmacologic characterization of the triazolopyridazine derivative SAR125844, a potent and highly selective inhibitor of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), for intravenous administration. SAR125844 displayed nanomolar activity against the wild-type kinase (IC50 value of 4.2 nmol/L) and the M1250T and Y1235D mutants. Broad biochemical profiling revealed that SAR125844 was highly selective for MET kinase. SAR125844 inhibits MET autophosphorylation in cell-based assays in the nanomolar range, and promotes low nanomolar proapoptotic and antiproliferative activities selectively in cell lines with MET gene amplification or pathway addiction. In two MET-amplified human gastric tumor xenograft models, SNU-5 and Hs 746T, intravenous treatment with SAR125844 leads to potent, dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the MET kinase and to significant impact on downstream PI3K/AKT and RAS/MAPK pathways. Long duration of MET kinase inhibition up to 7 days was achieved with a nanosuspension formulation of SAR125844. Daily or every-2-days intravenous treatment of SAR125844 promoted a dose-dependent tumor regression in MET-amplified human gastric cancer models at tolerated doses without treatment-related body weight loss. Our data demonstrated that SAR125844 is a potent and selective MET kinase inhibitor with a favorable preclinical toxicity profile, supporting its clinical development in patients with MET-amplified and MET pathway-addicted tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coumaran Egile
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Christine Delaisi
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Françoise Bégassat
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Véronique Do-Vale
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jessica Mestadier
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Fabrice Bonche
- Disposition, Safety and Animal Research, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Tsiala Bénard
- Lead Generation to Candidate Realization, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jean-Paul Nicolas
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Sandrine Valence
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Céline Lefranc
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Elisa Francesconi
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Christelle Castell
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Conception Nemecek
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Loreley Calvet
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Hélène Goulaouic
- Sanofi Oncology, Sanofi Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France.
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Mishev G, Deliverska E, Hlushchuk R, Velinov N, Aebersold D, Weinstein F, Djonov V. Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinases in oral squamous cell carcinoma. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2014; 28:1138-1149. [PMID: 26019601 PMCID: PMC4433935 DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2014.967510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between the expressions of four matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13, and the TNM (tumour–node–metastasis) stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); and to explore the implication of these MMPs in OSCC dissemination. Samples from 61 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal tumour were studied by immunohistochemistry against MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13. The assessment of immunoreactivity was semi-quantitative. The results showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 had similar expression patterns in the tumour cells with no changes in the immunoreactivity during tumour progression. MMP-9 always had the highest expression, whereas that of MMP-2 was moderate. MMP-7 showed a significant decrease in expression levels during tumour evolution. MMP-13 had constant expression levels within stage T2 and T3, but showed a remarkable decline in immunoreactivity in stage T4. No significant differences in the MMPs immunoreactivity between tumour cells and stroma were observed. Although strong evidence for the application of MMPs as reliable predictive markers for node metastasis was not acquired, we believe that combining patients’ MMPs expression intensity and clinical features may improve the diagnosis and prognosis. Strong evidence for the application of MMPs as reliable predictive markers for node metastasis was not acquired. Application of MMPs as prognostic indicators for the malignancy potential of OSCC might be considered in every case of tumour examination. We believe that combining patients’ MMPs expression intensity and clinical features may improve the process of making diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgi Mishev
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Elitsa Deliverska
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Sofia , Sofia , Bulgaria
| | | | - Nikolay Velinov
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Daniel Aebersold
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Felix Weinstein
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Valentin Djonov
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
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Nisa L, Aebersold DM, Giger R, Zimmer Y, Medová M. Biological, diagnostic and therapeutic relevance of the MET receptor signaling in head and neck cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 143:337-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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25
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Lacroix L, Post SF, Valent A, Melkane AE, Vielh P, Egile C, Castell C, Larois C, Micallef S, Saulnier P, Goulaouic H, Lefebvre AM, Temam S. MET genetic abnormalities unreliable for patient selection for therapeutic intervention in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84319. [PMID: 24465403 PMCID: PMC3894941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identification of MET genetic alteration, mutation, or amplification in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) could lead to development of MET selective kinase inhibitors. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and prognostic value of MET gene mutation, amplification, and protein expression in primary OPSCC. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients treated for single primary OPSCC between January 2007 and December 2009. Pre-treatment OPSCC tissue samples were analyzed for MET mutations, gene amplification, and overexpression using Sanger sequencing, FISH analysis, and immunohistochemistry respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze correlations between molecular abnormalities and patient survival. Results 143 patients were included in this study. Six cases (4%) were identified that had a genetic variation, but previously described mutations such as p.Tyr1235Asp (Y1235D) or p.Tyr1230Cys (Y1230C) were not detected. There were 15 high polysomy cases, and only 3 cases met the criteria for true MET amplification, with ≥10% amplified cells per case. Immunohistochemistry evaluation showed 43% of cases were c-MET negative and in 57% c-MET was observed at the tumor cell level. Multivariate analysis showed no significant association between MET mutation, amplification, or expression and survival. Conclusions Our study shows a low frequency of MET mutations and amplification in this cohort of OPSCC. There was no significant correlation between MET mutations, amplification, or expression and patient survival. These results suggest that patient selection based on these MET genetic abnormalities may not be a reliable strategy for therapeutic intervention in OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Lacroix
- Department of Medical Biology and Pathology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Sophie F. Post
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Valent
- Department of Medical Biology and Pathology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Antoine E. Melkane
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Philippe Vielh
- Department of Medical Biology and Pathology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | | | - Christelle Larois
- Department of Biologics Scientific Core Platform (BioSCP), Sanofi, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Sandrine Micallef
- Department of Scientific Core Platform Clinical and Scientific Operations (SCP CSO), Sanofi, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Patrick Saulnier
- Translational Research Laboratory and Biobank, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Anne-Marie Lefebvre
- Department of Biologics Scientific Core Platform (BioSCP), Sanofi, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Stéphane Temam
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- * E-mail:
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26
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The Molecular Crosstalk between the MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase and the DNA Damage Response-Biological and Clinical Aspects. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 6:1-27. [PMID: 24378750 PMCID: PMC3980615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy remains an imperative treatment modality for numerous malignancies. Enduring significant technical achievements both on the levels of treatment planning and radiation delivery have led to improvements in local control of tumor growth and reduction in healthy tissue toxicity. Nevertheless, resistance mechanisms, which presumably also involve activation of DNA damage response signaling pathways that eventually may account for loco-regional relapse and consequent tumor progression, still remain a critical problem. Accumulating data suggest that signaling via growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, which are aberrantly expressed in many tumors, may interfere with the cytotoxic impact of ionizing radiation via the direct activation of the DNA damage response, leading eventually to so-called tumor radioresistance. The aim of this review is to overview the current known data that support a molecular crosstalk between the hepatocyte growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase MET and the DNA damage response. Apart of extending well established concepts over MET biology beyond its function as a growth factor receptor, these observations directly relate to the role of its aberrant activity in resistance to DNA damaging agents, such as ionizing radiation, which are routinely used in cancer therapy and advocate tumor sensitization towards DNA damaging agents in combination with MET targeting.
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Graveel CR, Tolbert D, Vande Woude GF. MET: a critical player in tumorigenesis and therapeutic target. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2013; 5:a009209. [PMID: 23818496 PMCID: PMC3685898 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a009209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery more than 25 years ago, numerous studies have established that the MET receptor is unique among tyrosine kinases. Signaling through MET is necessary for normal development and for the progression of a wide range of human cancers. MET activation has been shown to drive numerous signaling pathways; however, it is not clear how MET signaling mediates diverse cellular responses such as motility, invasion, growth, and angiogenesis. Great strides have been made in understanding the pleotropic aspects of MET signaling using three-dimensional molecular structures, cell culture systems, human tumors, and animal models. These combined approaches have driven the development of MET-targeted therapeutics that have shown promising results in the clinic. Here we examine the unique features of MET and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) structure and signaling, mutational activation, genetic mouse models of MET and HGF/SF, and MET-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie R Graveel
- Molecular Oncology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
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28
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Medová M, Aebersold DM, Blank-Liss W, Streit B, Medo M, Aebi S, Zimmer Y. MET Inhibition Results in DNA Breaks and Synergistically Sensitizes Tumor Cells to DNA-Damaging Agents Potentially by Breaching a Damage-Induced Checkpoint Arrest. Genes Cancer 2011; 1:1053-62. [PMID: 21779429 DOI: 10.1177/1947601910388030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 09/21/2010] [Accepted: 09/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While recent studies implicate that signaling through the receptor tyrosine kinase MET protects cancer cells from DNA damage, molecular events linking MET to the DNA damage response machinery are largely unknown. Here, we studied the impact of MET inhibition by the small molecule PHA665752 on cytotoxicity induced by DNA-damaging agents. We demonstrate that PHA665752 reduces clonogenic survival of tumor cells with MET overexpression when combined with ionizing radiation and synergistically cooperates with ionizing radiation or adriamycin to induce apoptosis. In search of mechanisms underlying the observed synergism, we show that PHA665752 alone considerably increases γH2AX levels, indicating the accumulation of double-strand DNA breaks. In addition, PHA665752 treatment results in sustained high levels of γH2AX and phosphorylated ATM postirradiation, strengthening the assumption that MET inhibition attenuates postdamage DNA repair. PHA665752, alone or in combination with irradiation, leads also to a massive increase of γH2AX tyrosine phosphorylation and its subsequent interaction with the proapoptotic kinase JNK1. Finally, MET inhibition reduces activation of ATR, CHK1, and CDC25B and abrogates an associated DNA damage-induced S phase arrest. This indicates that MET inhibition compromises a critical damage-dependent checkpoint that may enable DNA-damaged cells to exit cell cycle arrest before repair is completed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Medová
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Berne, Switzerland
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29
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Cañadas I, Rojo F, Arumí-Uría M, Rovira A, Albanell J, Arriola E. C-MET as a new therapeutic target for the development of novel anticancer drugs. Clin Transl Oncol 2010; 12:253-60. [PMID: 20462834 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-010-0501-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MET is a tyrosine kinase receptor that, upon binding of its natural ligand, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), is phosphorylated and subsequently activates different signalling pathways involved in proliferation, motility, migration and invasion. MET has been found to be aberrantly activated in human cancer via mutation, amplification or protein overexpression. MET expression and activation have been associated with prognosis in a number of tumour types and predict response to MET inhibitors in preclinical models. Here we review the HGF/MET signalling pathway, its role in human cancer and the different inhibitory strategies that have been developed for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Cañadas
- Molecular Therapeutics and Biomarkers in Cancer Laboratory, Institut Municipal d'Investigacions Mediques, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
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30
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Goetsch L, Caussanel V. Selection criteria for c-Met-targeted therapies: emerging evidence for biomarkers. Biomark Med 2010; 4:149-70. [DOI: 10.2217/bmm.09.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive development of targeted therapies emphasize the critical need for biomarkers and major efforts have been engaged to identify screening, prognostic, stratification and therapy-monitoring markers. One of the challenges in translating preclinical studies into effective clinical therapies remains the accurate identification of a responsive subsets of patients. Studies on trastuzumab demonstrated that patient response could be specifically correlated with the amplification of the Her2 gene. However, for the EGF receptor, it has been more difficult to find the right stratification biomarker and recent data demonstrate that genetic alterations for the EGF receptor have to be considered. Taken together, these data underline the need for a deeper understanding of both targeted receptor and human disease to determine pathways that might be investigated during early clinical trials in order to define relevant biomarkers for patient selection. This article, dealing with the c-Met tyrosine kinase receptor, provides an overview of c-Met alterations observed in cancer and proposes approaches for stratification biomarker selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Goetsch
- Centre d’Immunologie Pierre Fabre, 5 avenue Napoléon III F-74164 Saint Julien en Genevois, France
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31
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Akagi T, Ito T, Kato M, Jin Z, Cheng Y, Kan T, Yamamoto G, Olaru A, Kawamata N, Boult J, Soukiasian HJ, Miller CW, Ogawa S, Meltzer SJ, Koeffler HP. Chromosomal abnormalities and novel disease-related regions in progression from Barrett's esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 2009; 125:2349-59. [PMID: 19670330 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a metaplastic condition caused by chronic gastroesophageal reflux which represents an early step in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP-chip) analysis is a novel, precise, high-throughput approach to examine genomic alterations in neoplasia. Using 250K SNP-chips, we examined the neoplastic progression of BE to EAC, studying 11 matched sample sets: 6 sets of normal esophagus (NE), BE and EAC, 4 of NE and BE and 1 of NE and EAC. Six (60%) of 10 total BE samples and 4 (57%) of 7 total EAC samples exhibited 1 or more genomic abnormalities comprising deletions, duplications, amplifications and copy-number-neutral loss of heterozygosity (CNN-LOH). Several shared abnormalities were identified, including chromosome 9p CNN-LOH [2 BE samples (20%)], deletion of CDKN2A [4 BE samples (40%)] and amplification of 17q12-21.2 involving the ERBB2, RARA and TOP2A genes [3.1 Mb, 2 EAC (29%)]. Interestingly, 1 BE sample contained a homozygous deletion spanning 9p22.3-p22.2 (1.2 Mb): this region harbors only 1 known gene, basonuclin 2 (BNC2). Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the deletion of this gene and decreased the expression of BNC2 mRNA in the BE sample. Furthermore, transfection and stable expression of BNC2 caused growth arrest of OE33 EAC cells, suggesting that BNC2 functions as a tumor suppressor gene in the esophagus and that deletion of this gene occurs during the development of EAC. Thus, this SNP-chip analysis has identified several early cytogenetic events and novel candidate cancer-related genes that are potentially involved in the evolution of BE to EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadayuki Akagi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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32
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Zimmer Y, Vaseva AV, Medová M, Streit B, Blank-Liss W, Greiner RH, Schiering N, Aebersold DM. Differential inhibition sensitivities of MET mutants to the small molecule inhibitor SU11274. Cancer Lett 2009; 289:228-36. [PMID: 19783361 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Revised: 08/11/2009] [Accepted: 08/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Point mutations emerge as one of the rate-limiting steps in tumor response to small molecule inhibitors of protein kinases. Here we characterized the response of the MET mutated variants, V1110I, V1238I, V1206L and H1112L to the small molecule SU11274. Our results reveal a distinct inhibition pattern of the four mutations with IC(50) values for autophosphorylation inhibition ranging between 0.15 and 1.5muM. Differences were further seen on the ability of SU11274 to inhibit phosphorylation of downstream MET transducers such as AKT, ERK, PLCgamma and STAT3 and a variety of MET-dependent biological endpoints. In all the assays, H1112L was the most sensitive to SU11274, while V1206L was less affected under the used concentration range. The differences in responses to SU11274 are discussed based on a structural model of the MET kinase domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitzhak Zimmer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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33
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Giubellino A, Linehan WM, Bottaro DP. Targeting the Met signaling pathway in renal cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2009; 9:785-93. [PMID: 19496715 DOI: 10.1586/era.09.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, accounts for 3% of all adult malignancies and its incidence has significantly increased over the last 20 years. RCC claims 13,000 lives annually in the USA and more than 100,000 worldwide. A better understanding of the molecular basis of RCC has facilitated the development of novel and more selective therapeutic approaches. An important role in RCC oncogenesis is played by the receptor for HGF, Met, which has attracted considerable attention, more recently as a molecular target for cancer therapy, and several drugs selectively targeting this pathway are now in clinical trials. This review will focus on efforts to understand the role of the Met signaling pathway in renal cancer and how this has contributed to the development of potent and selective drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Giubellino
- Urologic Oncology Branch, CCR, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-21107, USA
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34
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Ghadjar P, Blank-Liss W, Simcock M, Hegyi I, Beer KT, Moch H, Aebersold DM, Zimmer Y. MET Y1253D-activating point mutation and development of distant metastasis in advanced head and neck cancers. Clin Exp Metastasis 2009; 26:809-15. [PMID: 19639388 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-009-9280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2009] [Accepted: 06/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We investigated if the MET-activating point mutation Y1253D influences clinical outcomes in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). The study population consisted of 152 HNSCC patients treated by hyperfractionated radiotherapy alone or concomitant with chemotherapy between September 1994 and July 2000. Tumors were screened for the presence of the MET-activating point mutation Y1253D. Seventy-eight patients (51%) received radiotherapy alone, 74 patients (49%) underwent radiotherapy concomitant with chemotherapy. Median patient age was 54 years and median follow-up was 5.5 years. Distant metastasis-free survival, local relapse-free survival and overall survival were compared with MET Y1253D status. During follow-up, 29 (19%) patients developed distant metastasis. MET Y1253D was detected in tumors of 21 out of 152 patients (14%). Distant metastasis-free survival (P = 0.008) was associated with MET Y1253D. In a multivariate Cox regression model, adjusted for T-category, only presence of MET Y1253D was associated with decreased distant metastasis-free survival: hazard ratio = 2.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.1, 5.8). The observed association between MET Y1253D-activating point mutation and decreased distant metastasis-free survival in advanced HNSCC suggests that MET may be a potential target for specific treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pirus Ghadjar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
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35
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Seiwert TY, Jagadeeswaran R, Faoro L, Janamanchi V, Nallasura V, El Dinali M, Yala S, Kanteti R, Cohen EEW, Lingen MW, Martin L, Krishnaswamy S, Klein-Szanto A, Christensen JG, Vokes EE, Salgia R. The MET receptor tyrosine kinase is a potential novel therapeutic target for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Res 2009; 69:3021-31. [PMID: 19318576 PMCID: PMC2871252 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-2881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer remains a devastating disease with insufficient treatment options. We investigated the MET receptor tyrosine kinase as a novel target for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MET/phosphorylated MET and HGF expression was analyzed in 121 tissues (HNSCC/normal) by immunohistochemistry, and in 20 HNSCC cell lines by immunoblotting. The effects of MET inhibition using small interfering RNA/two small-molecule inhibitors (SU11274/PF-2341066) on signaling, migration, viability, and angiogenesis were determined. The complete MET gene was sequenced in 66 head and neck cancer tissue samples and eight cell lines. MET gene copy number was determined in 14 cell lines and 23 tumor tissues. Drug combinations of SU11274 with cisplatin or erlotinib were tested in SCC35/HN5 cell lines. Eighty-four percent of the HNSCC samples showed MET overexpression, whereas 18 of 20 HNSCC cell lines (90%) expressed MET. HGF overexpression was present in 45% of HNSCC. MET inhibition with SU11274/PF-2341066 abrogated MET signaling, cell viability, motility/migration in vitro, and tumor angiogenesis in vivo. Mutational analysis of 66 tumor tissues and 8 cell lines identified novel mutations in the semaphorin (T230M/E168D/N375S), juxtamembrane (T1010I/R988C), and tyrosine kinase (T1275I/V1333I) domains (incidence: 13.5%). Increased MET gene copy number was present with >10 copies in 3 of 23 (13%) tumor tissues. A greater-than-additive inhibition of cell growth was observed when combining a MET inhibitor with cisplatin or erlotinib and synergy may be mediated via erbB3/AKT signaling. MET is functionally important in HNSCC with prominent overexpression, increased gene copy number, and mutations. MET inhibition abrogated MET functions, including proliferation, migration/motility, and angiogenesis. MET is a promising, novel target for HNSCC and combination approaches with cisplatin or EGFR inhibitors should be explored.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cisplatin/administration & dosage
- ErbB Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Gene Dosage
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/enzymology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Indoles/administration & dosage
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Mutation
- Piperazines/administration & dosage
- Piperazines/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/biosynthesis
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Receptors, Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Growth Factor/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Growth Factor/genetics
- Receptors, Growth Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Sulfonamides/administration & dosage
- Sulfonamides/pharmacology
- Transfection
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanguy Y Seiwert
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
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36
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Ganapathipillai SS, Medová M, Aebersold DM, Manley PW, Berthou S, Streit B, Blank-Liss W, Greiner RH, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Zimmer Y. Coupling of mutated Met variants to DNA repair via Abl and Rad51. Cancer Res 2008; 68:5769-77. [PMID: 18632630 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal activation of DNA repair pathways by deregulated signaling of receptor tyrosine kinase systems is a compelling likelihood with significant implications in both cancer biology and treatment. Here, we show that due to a potential substrate switch, mutated variants of the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor Met, but not the wild-type form of the receptor, directly couple to the Abl tyrosine kinase and the Rad51 recombinase, two key signaling elements of homologous recombination-based DNA repair. Treatment of cells that express the mutated receptor variants with the Met inhibitor SU11274 leads, in a mutant-dependent manner, to a reduction of tyrosine phosphorylated levels of Abl and Rad51, impairs radiation-induced nuclear translocation of Rad51, and acts as a radiosensitizer together with the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha by increasing cellular double-strand DNA break levels following exposure to ionizing radiation. Finally, we propose that in order to overcome a mutation-dependent resistance to SU11274, this aberrant molecular axis may alternatively be targeted with the Abl inhibitor, nilotinib.
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37
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Linehan WM, Pinto PA, Srinivasan R, Merino M, Choyke P, Choyke L, Coleman J, Toro J, Glenn G, Vocke C, Zbar B, Schmidt LS, Bottaro D, Neckers L. Identification of the genes for kidney cancer: opportunity for disease-specific targeted therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:671s-679s. [PMID: 17255292 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-1870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding the kidney cancer gene pathways has provided the foundation for the development of targeted therapeutic approaches for patients with this disease. Kidney cancer is not a single disease; it includes a number of different types of renal cancers, each with different histologic features, a different clinical course, a different response to therapy, and different genes causing the defects. Most of what is known about the genetic basis of kidney cancer has been learned from study of the inherited forms of kidney cancer: von Hippel Lindau (VHL gene), hereditary papillary renal carcinoma (c-Met gene), Birt Hogg Dubé (BHD gene), and hereditary leiomyomatosis renal cell cancer (fumarate hydratase gene). These Mendelian single-gene syndromes provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of agents that target the VHL, c-Met, BHD, and fumarate hydratase pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Marston Linehan
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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38
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Soh J, Toyooka S, Aoe K, Asano H, Ichihara S, Katayama H, Hiraki A, Kiura K, Aoe M, Sano Y, Sugi K, Shimizu N, Date H. Usefulness of EGFR mutation screening in pleural fluid to predict the clinical outcome of gefitinib treated patients with lung cancer. Int J Cancer 2006; 119:2353-8. [PMID: 16921488 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The importance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation has been recognized in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), requiring the standardization of mutation screening system including the kind of samples. Here, we examined the EGFR mutation status in 61 pleural fluid samples from NSCLC cases using direct sequencing, nonenriched PCR, mutant-enriched PCR and peptide nucleic acid-locked nucleic acid (PNA-LNA) PCR clamp assay. The mutant-enriched PCR assay detected 16 mutant cases. Among them, the nonenriched PCR assay failed to detect 3 mutant cases. Regarding the discrepancy between mutant-enriched PCR and PNA-LNA PCR clamp assays, 3 cases of exon19-deletions were detected only by mutant-enriched PCR assay and no difference at the L858R mutation. There was no difference in results between direct sequencing and nonenriched PCR assay. We also correlated the EGFR mutation with clinical outcome of gefitinib-treated 29 cases. EGFR mutations were present in 10 cases, revealing 7 partial response and 3 no change (NC). In EGFR wild-type cases, 10 revealed NC and 9 progressive disease. The responders were significantly more frequent among the EGFR mutant cases than among the wild-type (p < 0.0001). Overall survival (p = 0.0092) and progression-free survival (p = 0.018) were significantly longer among the EGFR mutant cases than among the wild-type. In summary, we evaluated the utility of EGFR mutation screening in pleural fluid using 4 assays that showed some discrepancies arising from the designs of the assays. As clinical importance, the EGFR mutation status in pleural fluid can be a biomarker for the favorable outcome of gefitinib-treated NSCLC cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Soh
- Department of Cancer and Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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39
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Abstract
On binding to the cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) known as c-Met, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulates mitogenesis, motogenesis, and morphogenesis in a wide range of cellular targets including, epithelial and endothelial cells, hematopoietic cells, neurons, melanocytes, and hepatocytes. These pleiotropic actions are fundamentally important during development, homeostasis, and tissue regeneration. HGF signaling also contributes to oncogenesis and tumor progression in several human cancers and promotes aggressive cellular invasiveness that is strongly linked to tumor metastasis. Our present understanding of c-Met oncogenic signaling supports at least three avenues of pathway selective anticancer drug development: antagonism of ligand/receptor interaction, inhibition of TK catalytic activity, and blockade of intracellular receptor/effector interactions. Potent and selective preclinical drug candidates have been developed using all three strategies, and human clinical trials in two of the three areas are now under way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Peruzzi
- Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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40
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Patanè S, Avnet S, Coltella N, Costa B, Sponza S, Olivero M, Vigna E, Naldini L, Baldini N, Ferracini R, Corso S, Giordano S, Comoglio PM, Di Renzo MF. MET Overexpression Turns Human Primary Osteoblasts into Osteosarcomas. Cancer Res 2006; 66:4750-7. [PMID: 16651428 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-4422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The MET oncogene was causally involved in the pathogenesis of a rare tumor, i.e., the papillary renal cell carcinoma, in which activating mutations, either germline or somatic, were identified. MET activating mutations are rarely found in other human tumors, whereas at higher frequencies, MET is amplified and/or overexpressed in sporadic tumors of specific histotypes, including osteosarcoma. In this work, we provide experimental evidence that overexpression of the MET oncogene causes and sustains the full-blown transformation of osteoblasts. Overexpression of MET, obtained by lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer, resulted in the conversion of primary human osteoblasts into osteosarcoma cells, displaying the transformed phenotype in vitro and the distinguishing features of human osteosarcomas in vivo. These included atypical nuclei, aberrant mitoses, production of alkaline phosphatase, secretion of osteoid extracellular matrix, and striking neovascularization. Although with a lower tumorigenicity, this phenotype was superimposable to that observed after transfer of the MET gene activated by mutation. Both transformation and tumorigenesis were fully abrogated when MET expression was quenched by short-hairpin RNA or when signaling was impaired by a dominant-negative MET receptor. These data show that MET overexpression is oncogenic and that it is essential for the maintenance of the cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Patanè
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, University of Turin School of Medicine, Candiolo (Turin), Italy
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41
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Wang W, Marimuthu A, Tsai J, Kumar A, Krupka HI, Zhang C, Powell B, Suzuki Y, Nguyen H, Tabrizizad M, Luu C, West BL. Structural characterization of autoinhibited c-Met kinase produced by coexpression in bacteria with phosphatase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:3563-8. [PMID: 16537444 PMCID: PMC1450123 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0600048103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are a large family of cell signaling mediators undergoing intensive research to identify inhibitors or modulators useful for medicine. As one strategy, small-molecule compounds that bind the active site with high affinity can be used to inhibit the enzyme activity. X-ray crystallography is a powerful method to reveal the structures of the kinase active sites, and thus aid in the design of high-affinity, selective inhibitors. However, a limitation still exists in the ability to produce purified kinases in amounts sufficient for crystallography. Furthermore, kinases exist in different conformation states as part of their normal regulation, and the ability to prepare crystals of kinases in these various states also remains a limitation. In this study, the c-Abl, c-Src, and c-Met kinases are produced in high yields in Escherichia coli by using a bicistronic vector encoding the PTP1B tyrosine phosphatase. A 100-fold lower dose of the inhibitor, Imatinib, was observed to inhibit the unphosphorylated form of c-Abl kinase prepared by using this vector, compared to the phosphorylated form produced without PTP1B, consistent with the known selectivity of this inhibitor for the unactivated conformation of the enzyme. Unphosphorylated c-Met kinase produced with this vector was used to obtain the crystal structure, at 2.15-A resolution, of the autoinhibited form of the kinase domain, revealing an intricate network of interactions involving c-Met residues documented previously to cause dysregulation when mutated in several cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiru Wang
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | | | - James Tsai
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | - Abhinav Kumar
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | | | - Chao Zhang
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | - Ben Powell
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | | | - Hoa Nguyen
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | | | - Catherine Luu
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
| | - Brian L. West
- Plexxikon, Inc., 91 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, CA 94710
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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42
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Nagai Y, Miyazawa H, Tanaka T, Udagawa K, Kato M, Fukuyama S, Yokote A, Kobayashi K, Kanazawa M, Hagiwara K. Genetic heterogeneity of the epidermal growth factor receptor in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines revealed by a rapid and sensitive detection system, the peptide nucleic acid-locked nucleic acid PCR clamp. Cancer Res 2005; 65:7276-82. [PMID: 16105816 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 414] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of the cancer death worldwide. Gefitinib is an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and has been introduced in the treatment of advanced lung cancers. The responsiveness to gefitinib has been linked to the presence of EGFR mutations. Clinical samples contain many normal cells in addition to cancer cells. A method capable of detecting EGFR mutations in a large background of wild-type EGFR genes could provide a superior clinical test. We developed a rapid and sensitive detection system for EGFR mutations named the peptide nucleic acid-locked nucleic acid (PNA-LNA) PCR clamp that can detect EGFR mutations in the presence of 100-to 1,000-fold background of wild-type EGFR. We used this method to screen 30 non-small cell lung cancer cell lines established from Japanese patients. In addition to 11 cell lines that have mutations, we found 12 cell lines in which specific mutations are observed only in the subpopulation(s) of the cells. Genetic heterogeneity of EGFR suggests that the EGFR gene is unstable in established cancers and the heterogeneity may explain variable clinical responses of lung cancers to gefitinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Nagai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Medical School, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama, Japan
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Tsukinoki K, Yasuda M, Miyoshi Y, Mori Y, Otsuru M, Saruta J, Sato S, Kaneko A, Watanabe Y, Osamura RY. Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and c-Met Receptor in Neoplastic Conditions of Salivary Glands. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2005. [DOI: 10.1267/ahc.38.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Tsukinoki
- Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic Science, Division of Pathology, Kanagawa Dental College
- Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine
- Department of Oral Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Masanori Yasuda
- Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Yoshiko Miyoshi
- Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic Science, Division of Pathology, Kanagawa Dental College
| | - Yusuke Mori
- Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic Science, Division of Pathology, Kanagawa Dental College
- Department of Oral Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | | | - Juri Saruta
- Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental College
| | - Sadao Sato
- Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental College
| | - Akihiro Kaneko
- Department of Oral Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Yoshihisa Watanabe
- Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic Science, Division of Pathology, Kanagawa Dental College
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Abstract
The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has recently witnessed the introduction of molecularly targeted agents based on disease biology, target discovery, and validation. One class of agents, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, is currently in phase III trials. There are multiple processes, however, that appear to be suitable for targeted therapy beyond EGFR. These include signal transduction, cell cycle control, prostaglandin synthesis, protein degradation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. These systems and specific protein targets will be reviewed in detail with emphasis on promising preclinical and early clinical evidence of activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezra E W Cohen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637-1470, USA.
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Christensen JG, Burrows J, Salgia R. c-Met as a target for human cancer and characterization of inhibitors for therapeutic intervention. Cancer Lett 2004; 225:1-26. [PMID: 15922853 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2004.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2004] [Accepted: 09/29/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) targeted agents such as trastuzumab, imatinib, bevacizumab, and gefitinib inhibitors have illustrated the utility of targeting this protein class for treatment of selected cancers. A unique member of the RTK family, c-Met, also represents an intriguing target for cancer therapy that is yet to be explored in a clinical setting. The proto-oncogene, c-Met, encodes the high-affinity receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or scatter factor (SF). c-Met and HGF are each required for normal mammalian development and have been shown to be particularly important in cell migration, morphogenic differentiation, and organization of three-dimensional tubular structures (e.g. renal tubular cells, gland formation, etc.) as well as cell growth and angiogenesis. Both c-Met and HGF have been shown to be deregulated in and to correlate with poor prognosis in a number of major human cancers. New data describing the constitutive phosphorylation of c-Met in a number of human tumors is presented here along with a variety of mechanisms by which c-Met can become activated, including mutation and gene amplification. In support of the clinical data implicating c-Met activation in the pathogenesis of human cancers, introduction of c-Met and HGF (or mutant c-Met) into cells conferred the properties of motility, invasiveness, and tumorgenicity to the transformed cells. Conversely, the inhibition of c-Met with a variety of receptor antagonists inhibited the motility, invasiveness, and tumorgenicity of human tumor cell lines. Consistent with this observation, small-molecule inhibitors of c-Met were developed that antagonized c-Met/HGF-dependent phenotypes and tumor growth in mouse models. This review will address the potential for development of c-Met inhibitors for treatment of human cancers with particular emphasis on recent findings with small-molecule inhibitors.
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Berthou S, Aebersold DM, Schmidt LS, Stroka D, Heigl C, Streit B, Stalder D, Gruber G, Liang C, Howlett AR, Candinas D, Greiner RH, Lipson KE, Zimmer Y. The Met kinase inhibitor SU11274 exhibits a selective inhibition pattern toward different receptor mutated variants. Oncogene 2004; 23:5387-93. [PMID: 15064724 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Point mutations constitute a major mode of oncogenic activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase. Met is aberrantly activated in many types of human malignancies and its deregulated activity is correlated with aggressive tumor traits such as abnormal proliferation and survival, leading to tumor growth, local invasion and metastasis. Here we report that the Met kinase inhibitor SU11274 differentially affects the kinase activity and subsequent signaling of various mutant forms of Met. Two Met variants tested, M1268T and H1112Y, were potently inhibited by 2 microM SU11274, while two other variants, L1213V and Y1248H, remained resistant under similar experimental conditions. Inhibition of the kinase altered cell proliferation, morphology and motility, while cells containing resistant mutants appeared unaffected by the compound. The basis for the sensitivity or resistance to SU11274 is discussed in terms of the position of the mutations predicted from a homology model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Berthou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital Bern, Switzerland
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