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Tóth LJ, Mokánszki A, Méhes G. The rapidly changing field of predictive biomarkers of non-small cell lung cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2024; 30:1611733. [PMID: 38953007 PMCID: PMC11215025 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2024.1611733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in both men and women, however mortality in the US and EU are recently declining in parallel with the gradual cut of smoking prevalence. Consequently, the relative frequency of adenocarcinoma increased while that of squamous and small cell carcinomas declined. During the last two decades a plethora of targeted drug therapies have appeared for the treatment of metastasizing non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Personalized oncology aims to precisely match patients to treatments with the highest potential of success. Extensive research is done to introduce biomarkers which can predict the effectiveness of a specific targeted therapeutic approach. The EGFR signaling pathway includes several sufficient targets for the treatment of human cancers including NSCLC. Lung adenocarcinoma may harbor both activating and resistance mutations of the EGFR gene, and further, mutations of KRAS and BRAF oncogenes. Less frequent but targetable genetic alterations include ALK, ROS1, RET gene rearrangements, and various alterations of MET proto-oncogene. In addition, the importance of anti-tumor immunity and of tumor microenvironment has become evident recently. Accumulation of mutations generally trigger tumor specific immune defense, but immune protection may be upregulated as an aggressive feature. The blockade of immune checkpoints results in potential reactivation of tumor cell killing and induces significant tumor regression in various tumor types, such as lung carcinoma. Therapeutic responses to anti PD1-PD-L1 treatment may correlate with the expression of PD-L1 by tumor cells. Due to the wide range of diagnostic and predictive features in lung cancer a plenty of tests are required from a single small biopsy or cytology specimen, which is challenged by major issues of sample quantity and quality. Thus, the efficacy of biomarker testing should be warranted by standardized policy and optimal material usage. In this review we aim to discuss major targeted therapy-related biomarkers in NSCLC and testing possibilities comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- László József Tóth
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Zhang Y, Shen L, Peng Z. Advances in MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors in gastric cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2024; 21:j.issn.2095-3941.2024.0044. [PMID: 38727001 PMCID: PMC11208904 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2024.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is among the most frequently occurring cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Because gastric cancer is highly heterogenous and comprised of different subtypes with distinct molecular and clinical characteristics, the management of gastric cancer calls for better-defined, biomarker-guided, molecular-based treatment strategies. MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase mediating important physiologic processes, such as embryogenesis, tissue regeneration, and wound healing. However, mounting evidence suggests that aberrant MET pathway activation contributes to tumour proliferation and metastasis in multiple cancer types, including gastric cancer, and is associated with poor patient outcomes. As such, MET-targeting therapies are being actively developed and promising progress has been demonstrated, especially with MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This review aims to briefly introduce the role of MET alterations in gastric cancer and summarize in detail the current progress of MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors in this disease area with a focus on savolitinib, tepotinib, capmatinib, and crizotinib. Building on current knowledge, this review further discusses existing challenges in MET alterations testing, possible resistance mechanisms to MET inhibitors, and future directions of MET-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Lin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Zhi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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Melocchi L, Cervi G, Sartori G, Gandolfi L, Jocollé G, Cavazza A, Rossi G. Up-regulation by overexpression of c-MET in fibroblastic foci of usual interstitial pneumonia. Pathologica 2023; 115:308-317. [PMID: 37812383 PMCID: PMC10767799 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the radiologic and histologic hallmark of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the commonest histologic pattern of other progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (e.g., fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonia). Analogous to lung cancer, activation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the main molecular pathways recently identified by transcriptomic studies in IPF. Fibroblastic foci (FF) are considered the active/trigger component of UIP pattern. The proto-oncogene C-MET is a key gene among molecules promoting EMT against which several inhibitors are currently available or promising in ongoing studies on lung cancer. Methods Twenty surgical cases of diffuse fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (fILD) with UIP pattern and FF-rich (17 IPF and 3 patients with fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonia, fHP) were retrospectively selected. FF were manually microdissected and analysed for c-MET gene alterations (FISH amplification and gene hot-spot mutations Sanger sequencing) and tested with a c-MET companion diagnostic antibody (clone SP44 metmab) by immunohistochemistry. Results FF are characterized by upregulation of c-MET as shown by overexpression of the protein in 80% of cases, while no gene amplification by FISH or mutations were detected. C-MET upregulation of FF was observed either in IPF and fHP, with a tropism for the epithelial cell component only. Conclusion Upregulation of c-MET in FF of ILD with UIP pattern further confirms the key role of the proto-oncogene c-MET in its pathogenesis, possibly representing an interesting and easily-detectable molecular target for selective therapy using specific inhibitors in future clinical trials, similar to lung cancer. It is reasonable to speculate that molecular alterations in FF can also be detected in FF by transbronchial cryobiopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Melocchi
- Operative Unit of Pathology, Diagnostic Services Area, Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital Institute, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giulia Cervi
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Azienda Territoriale Socio Sanitaria (ATS) of Mantova, Mantova, Italy
| | - Giuliana Sartori
- Operative Unit of Pathologic Anatomy, Azienda USL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Laura Gandolfi
- Operative Unit of Pathology, Diagnostic Services Area, Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital Institute, Brescia, Italy
| | - Genny Jocollé
- Operative Unit of Oncology, Azienda USL Valle d’Aosta, Aosta, Italy
| | - Alberto Cavazza
- Operative Unit of Pathologic Anatomy, Azienda USL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulio Rossi
- Operative Unit of Pathology, Diagnostic Services Area, Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital Institute, Brescia, Italy
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Mollerup J, Jørgensen JT. The Different Roles of MET in the Development and Treatment of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5087. [PMID: 37894454 PMCID: PMC10605179 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue features contributions from leading international researchers in the field of MET (hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor) biology and therapeutics [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Mollerup
- Pathology Division, Agilent Technologies Denmark ApS, Produktionsvej 42, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Jan Trøst Jørgensen
- Department: Medical Sciences, Dx-Rx Institute, Baunevaenget 76, 3480 Fredensborg, Denmark;
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Urbanska EM, Grauslund M, Koffeldt PR, Truelsen SLB, Löfgren JO, Costa JC, Melchior LC, Sørensen JB, Santoni-Rugiu E. Real-World Data on Combined EGFR-TKI and Crizotinib Treatment for Acquired and De Novo MET Amplification in Patients with Metastatic EGFR-Mutated NSCLC. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13077. [PMID: 37685884 PMCID: PMC10487649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Amplification of the mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) gene is a mechanism of acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine-kinase-inhibitors (TKIs) in over 20% of patients with advanced EGFR-mutated (EGFRm+) non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it may also occur de novo in 2-8% of EGFRm+ NSCLC cases as a potential mechanism of intrinsic resistance. These patients represent a group with unmet needs, since there is no standard therapy currently approved. Several new MET inhibitors are being investigated in clinical trials, but the results are awaited. Meanwhile, as an alternative strategy, combinations of EGFR-TKIs with the MET/ALK/ROS1-TKI Crizotinib may be used in this setting, despite this use is principally off-label. Thus, we studied five of these MET amplified cases receiving EGFR-TKI and Crizotinib doublet after progression on EGFR-TKI treatment to assess the benefits and challenges related to this combination and the possible occurrence of genomic and phenotypic co-alterations. Furthermore, we compared our cases with other real-world reports on Crizotinib/EGFR-TKI combinations, which appeared effective, especially in patients with high-level MET amplification. Yet, we observed that the co-occurrence of other genomic and phenotypical alterations may affect the response to combined EGFR-TKI and Crizotinib. Finally, given the heterogeneity of MET amplification, the diagnostic methods for assessing it may be discrepant. In this respect, we observed that for optimal detection, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and next-generation sequencing should be used together, as these methods possess different sensitivities and complement each other in characterizing MET amplification. Additionally, we addressed the issue of managing EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients with de novo MET amplification causing primary EGFR-TKI resistance. We conclude that, while data from clinical trials with new MET inhibitors are still pending, adding Crizotinib to EGFR-TKI in NSCLC patients acquiring MET amplification at progression on EGFR-TKI monotherapy is a reasonable approach, with a progression-free survival of 3-19 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta M. Urbanska
- Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Morten Grauslund
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.G.); (P.R.K.); (S.L.B.T.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Peter R. Koffeldt
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.G.); (P.R.K.); (S.L.B.T.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Sarah L. B. Truelsen
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.G.); (P.R.K.); (S.L.B.T.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Johan O. Löfgren
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Junia C. Costa
- Department of Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Linea C. Melchior
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.G.); (P.R.K.); (S.L.B.T.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Jens B. Sørensen
- Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eric Santoni-Rugiu
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.G.); (P.R.K.); (S.L.B.T.); (L.C.M.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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