Activation of MET pathway predicts poor outcome to cetuximab in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer

Background: Activation of the MET oncogene promotes tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in several tumor types. Additionally, MET is activated as a compensatory pathway in the presence of EGFR blockade, thus resulting in a mechanism of resistance to EGFR inhibitors. Methods: We have investigated t...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Madoz-Gúrpide, Juan, Zazo, Sandra, Chamizo, Cristina, Casado, Victoria, Caramés, Cristina, Gavín, Eduardo, Cristóbal, Ion, García-Foncillas López, Jesús Miguel, Rojo, Federico
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repositorio:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/671429
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10486/671429
https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0633-7
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cetuximab
EGFR
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
HGF
MET
Prognostic factor
Medicina
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Activation of the MET oncogene promotes tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in several tumor types. Additionally, MET is activated as a compensatory pathway in the presence of EGFR blockade, thus resulting in a mechanism of resistance to EGFR inhibitors. Methods: We have investigated the impact of HGF and MET expression, MET activation (phosphorylation), MET gene status, and MET-activating mutations on cetuximab sensitivity in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) patients. Results: A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed in 57 patients. MET overexpression was detected in 58 % patients, MET amplification in 39 % and MET activation (p-MET) in 30 %. Amplification was associated with MET overexpression. Log-rank testing showed significantly worse outcomes in recurrent/metastatic, MET overexpressing patients for progression-free survival and overall survival. Activation of MET was correlated with worse PFS and OS. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, p-MET was an independent prognostic factor for PFS. HGF overexpression was observed in 58 % patients and was associated with MET phosphorylation, suggesting a paracrine activation of the receptor. Conclusions: HGF/MET pathway activation correlated with worse outcome in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients. When treated with a cetuximab-based regimen, these patients correlated with worse outcome. This supports a dual blocking strategy of HGF/MET and EGFR pathways for the treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC