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Updated: May 2, 2026
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Low protein expression of MET in ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer
Flora Zagouri1, Anita Brandstetter, Dimitrios Moussiolis
1Associate Professor; Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. martin.filipits@meduniwien.ac.at.
Aim:
The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a key role in cell survival, growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Because its expression is frequently altered in tumors, MET is currently under investigation as a potential target for anticancer therapy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of tumor MET expression levels in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, in order to strengthen the rationale for targeted therapy using MET inhibitors in this breast cancer subpopulation.
Materials And Methods:
We determined the expression of MET in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of ER- and HER2-positive breast cancer by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Comparisons of MET expression with clinical parameters, including survival of the patients, were performed with MET expression as a dichotomized variable classified as high or low. Out of 78 tumors, 3 (3.8%) showed high MET expression. The analysis examining the association between MET and survival did not yield any statistically significant result regarding overall survival or disease-free survival.
Conclusion:
ER- and HER2-positive breast carcinomas do not exhibit high MET expression. This null finding, the first to be reported in the literature, is of great importance, since it indicates that this sub-group population is not proper candidate for clinical trials with MET inhibitors.
Insights
Estrogen receptor (ER)- and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancers rarely show high MET expression. This finding suggests MET inhibitors are not suitable for this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) receptor tyrosine kinase is crucial for cell survival, growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
- Altered MET expression in tumors makes it a target for anticancer therapies.
- Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is a significant subtype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor MET expression in ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer.
- To determine the suitability of this breast cancer subpopulation for MET inhibitor targeted therapy.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to determine MET expression levels.
- Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of ER- and HER2-positive breast cancer were analyzed.
- MET expression was dichotomized as high or low for survival analysis.
Main Results:
- Only 3.8% of the 78 analyzed tumors exhibited high MET expression.
- No statistically significant association was found between MET expression levels and overall survival or disease-free survival.
- The study found a lack of high MET expression in ER- and HER2-positive breast carcinomas.
Conclusions:
- ER- and HER2-positive breast carcinomas generally do not display high MET expression.
- This null finding indicates that this specific breast cancer subpopulation is not an appropriate candidate for clinical trials involving MET inhibitors.
- The study provides crucial evidence against the use of MET inhibitors in ER- and HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
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