The role of HGF/c-Met signaling in prostate cancer progression and c-Met inhibitors in clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
An increasing number of basic, translational and clinical studies demonstrate the importance of the protein tyrosine kinase receptor, c-Met, in the progression of prostate cancer. c-Met is overexpressed in primary prostate cancers, further increased in expression in bone metastases and is associated with the development of castrate-resistant disease. Because of its importance as a target, c-Met inhibitors have reached clinical trial for advanced, castrate-resistant prostate cancer.


METHODS
In this review, altered expression of c-Met and hepatocyte growth factor in prostate tumors and the microenvironment and how they contribute to growth and invasion of prostate cancer cells is described. Next, preclinical studies providing the support for use of c-Met inhibitors are discussed. Finally, early promising results from c-Met inhibitors in clinical trial, and future prospects for c-Met inhibitors in the treatment of advanced stage prostate cancer, are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
An emerging theme in treating metastatic prostate cancer is the requirement to target both the epithelial and stromal compartments. Results from clinical trials suggest that inhibitors of c-Met that block stromal-mediated c-Met activation in prostate tumors may be important therapeutic agents in at least a subset of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. However, as many of the inhibitors have multiple targets, the efficacy of targeting c-Met alone remains to be determined.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Clinical Research Building (T7.3891), 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 0018-4, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Andreas
A
Varkaris
Paul G
PG
Corn
Sanchaika
S
Gaur
Farshid
F
Dayyani
Christopher J
CJ
Logothetis
Gary E
GE
Gallick
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D015195:Drug Design; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met