Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Establishing Dual Resistance to EGFR-TKI and MET-TKI in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro with a 2-step Dose-escalation Procedure
09:38

Establishing Dual Resistance to EGFR-TKI and MET-TKI in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro with a 2-step Dose-escalation Procedure

Published on: August 11, 2017

8.9K

Targeting MERTK and AXL in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Dan Yan1, H Shelton Earp2,3, Deborah DeRyckere1

  • 1Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Cancers
|November 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

MERTK and AXL receptor tyrosine kinases are highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), promoting tumor growth and resistance. Targeting these TAM kinases offers a promising therapeutic strategy for NSCLC, especially with EGFR mutations.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • MERTK and AXL are TAM family receptor tyrosine kinases.
  • Abnormal expression observed in 69% (MERTK) and 93% (AXL) of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).
  • Expression linked to survival advantage, metastasis, drug resistance, and disease progression in NSCLC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review the physiologic and oncologic roles of MERTK and AXL.
  • Highlight the potential of targeting MERTK and AXL in NSCLC treatment.
  • Focus on NSCLCs with activating EGFR mutations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MERTK and AXL functions in NSCLC.
  • Analysis of TAM receptor roles in the tumor microenvironment.
  • Exploration of therapeutic targeting strategies.

Main Results:

  • MERTK and AXL expression significantly impacts NSCLC progression.
  • TAM receptors contribute to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
  • Targeting MERTK/AXL is a viable strategy for NSCLC therapy.

Conclusions:

  • MERTK and AXL are critical oncogenic drivers in NSCLC.
  • Targeting TAM kinases presents a therapeutic opportunity.
  • EGFR-mutated NSCLCs may benefit from MERTK/AXL inhibition.
Keywords:
AXLEGFR mutationMERTKNSCLCTAM familyreceptor tyrosine kinasetargeted therapy

More Related Videos

Profiling Sensitivity to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patient-Derived Organoids08:52

Profiling Sensitivity to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patient-Derived Organoids

Published on: November 22, 2021

4.2K
Establishment and Characterization of Three Afatinib-resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma PC-9 Cell Lines Developed with Increasing Doses of Afatinib09:38

Establishment and Characterization of Three Afatinib-resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma PC-9 Cell Lines Developed with Increasing Doses of Afatinib

Published on: June 26, 2019

8.1K

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.0K
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...
7.9K
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...
3.9K