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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: July 25, 2011

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HGF/Met Signaling in Head and Neck Cancer: Impact on the Tumor Microenvironment

Stefan Hartmann1, Neil E Bhola2, Jennifer R Grandis3

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|July 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) involves molecular changes. This review focuses on the HGF/Met signaling axis, its role in the tumor microenvironment, and the immune system in HNSCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is driven by multiple molecular alterations.
  • Current therapies targeting EGFR show limited efficacy due to pathway cross-talk.
  • The HGF/Met signaling axis is implicated in HNSCC tumorigenesis and resistance to EGFR inhibitors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functional roles of Met and HGF in HNSCC.
  • To emphasize the understudied role of HGF/Met signaling in the tumor microenvironment.
  • To explore the impact of HGF/Met signaling on the immune system within HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on HGF/Met signaling in HNSCC.
  • Analysis of HGF/Met's role in HNSCC initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic failure.
  • Focus on HGF/Met's influence on the tumor microenvironment and immune response.

Main Results:

  • EGFR is the sole FDA-approved target, but cetuximab response is limited.
  • HGF/Met signaling contributes to HNSCC proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
  • HGF is overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting its importance.

Conclusions:

  • HGF/Met signaling plays a significant role in HNSCC.
  • Further investigation into HGF/Met's role in the tumor microenvironment and immune modulation is warranted.
  • Targeting HGF/Met may offer new therapeutic strategies for HNSCC.

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