Research progress on the development of hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signaling pathway in gastric cancer: A review

Wu-Jie Wei1, Ya-Li Hong2, Yi Deng3

  • 1Department of Oncology, People's Hospital of Chongqing Hechuan, Chongqing 401520, China.

Insights

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met are key in gastric cancer (GC) development and treatment. Targeting the HGF/c-Met pathway offers new therapeutic strategies for this common malignancy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignancy with complex pathogenesis and limited treatment options.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving GC is crucial for developing effective therapies.
  • The Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling pathway is implicated in various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway in gastric cancer.
  • To review the function of HGF/c-Met in GC occurrence, development, and progression.
  • To discuss potential targeted therapeutic strategies focusing on the HGF/c-Met pathway in GC.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing research on the HGF/c-Met pathway in gastric cancer.
  • Literature search and synthesis of current findings on HGF/c-Met's role in GC.
  • Analysis of targeted therapeutic approaches for the HGF/c-Met pathway.

Main Results:

  • The HGF/c-Met signaling pathway significantly influences GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
  • This pathway is recognized as a critical factor in GC pathogenesis.
  • Emerging targeted therapies focus on inhibiting the HGF/c-Met pathway.

Conclusions:

  • The HGF/c-Met pathway is a vital target for novel gastric cancer treatments.
  • Targeting HGF/c-Met presents promising therapeutic strategies for GC.
  • Further research into HGF/c-Met inhibition could lead to improved GC patient outcomes.

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...
6.4K
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...
3.8K
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
3.2K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.2K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.5K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.5K