MET pathway as a therapeutic target

Eric S Kim1, Ravi Salgia

  • 1Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. rsalgia@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

Insights

Dysregulation of the mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase pathway drives cancer progression. Targeting these pathways with new drugs shows promising results for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase pathway is crucial in cellular processes.
  • Dysregulation of this pathway contributes to cancer development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the role of the mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase pathway in cancer.
  • To highlight mechanisms of pathway dysregulation.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase signaling.
  • Analysis of mechanisms driving pathway dysregulation.
  • Overview of current drug development targeting this pathway.

Main Results:

  • Pathway dysregulation promotes cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Mechanisms include overexpression, constitutive activation, gene amplification, ligand-dependent activation, and mutation.
  • Investigational drugs targeting this pathway demonstrate significant therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor receptor tyrosine kinase pathway is a key driver of oncogenesis.
  • Understanding its dysregulation is vital for developing effective cancer therapies.
  • Targeted therapies offer a promising avenue for improved cancer treatment outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which provide...
Respiration Pathways01:26

Respiration Pathways

Cellular respiration is a fundamental metabolic process that enables organisms to generate energy from organic molecules. One of its central pathways is the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which plays a crucial role in energy production and biosynthetic processes.Conversion of Pyruvate to Acetyl-CoAThe pyruvate generated from glycolysis undergoes oxidative decarboxylation by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, producing acetyl-CoA, one molecule of NADH, and one...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis01:29

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...