HGF-MET in Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

Title: HGF-MET in Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

Volume: 6 Issue: 2

Author(s): Seiji Yano, Wei Wang, Qi Li, Tadaaki Yamada, Shinji Takeuchi, Kunio Matsumoto, Yasuhiko Nishioka and Saburo Sone

Affiliation:

Keywords: Acquired resistance, EGFR mutation, gene amplification, lung cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, HGF, gefitinib, erlotinib, intrinsic resistance, T790M mutation, Met amplification, fibroblasts, microenvironment, EGFR-TKI, ErbB3, PI3K, Akt

Abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), gefitinib and erlotinib, show dramatic effects against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR activating mutations. However, 25% – 30% of EGFR mutant lung cancer patients show intrinsic resistance, and the responders almost invariably acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs within several years. Three mechanisms — second-site point mutation that substitutes methionine for threonine at position 790 (T790M) in EGFR, amplification of MET protooncogene, and overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, a ligand of MET) — have been reported to contribute to resistance to EGFR-TKIs. These three factors were detected simultaneously in a population of patients with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Further investigations to develop optimal therapy based on accurate diagnosis of resistant mechanism are warranted to improve the prognosis of EGFR mutant lung cancer.

Cite this article as:

Yano Seiji, Wang Wei, Li Qi, Yamada Tadaaki, Takeuchi Shinji, Matsumoto Kunio, Nishioka Yasuhiko and Sone Saburo, HGF-MET in Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer, Current Signal Transduction Therapy 2011; 6 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157436211795659928