Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

Targeting MET in cancer: rationale and progress

Ermanno Gherardi1, Walter Birchmeier, Carmen Birchmeier

  • 1Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK. egherard@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|January 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor MET pathway shows significant therapeutic potential in treating solid human tumors. Advances in understanding this pathway have led to effective inhibitors for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Uncontrolled cell survival, growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis are key cancer hallmarks.
  • Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor, MET, play crucial roles in these cancer processes.
  • Targeting the HGF/SF-MET pathway is a validated strategy in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in understanding the HGF/SF-MET signaling pathway.
  • To discuss the development and efficacy of MET inhibitors in cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the therapeutic value of targeting MET in solid tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of genetic and biochemical data.
  • Analysis of structural and functional studies of HGF/SF, MET, and signaling components.
  • Examination of recent clinical trial results for MET inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • HGF/SF and MET are causally linked to cancer hallmarks.
  • Development of effective blocking antibodies and small-molecule MET kinase inhibitors.
  • Clinical studies demonstrate significant therapeutic value of MET inhibition in various solid tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibiting the MET signaling pathway offers major therapeutic benefits for human solid tumors.
  • Continued research and development of MET-targeted therapies hold promise for cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies06:38

A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies

Published on: April 12, 2017

In Vivo Imaging to Measure Spontaneous Lung Metastasis of Orthotopically-injected Breast Tumor Cells08:36

In Vivo Imaging to Measure Spontaneous Lung Metastasis of Orthotopically-injected Breast Tumor Cells

Published on: June 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.