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:Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University.13-1, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0934, Japan.
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.
