title: MET/HGF pathway in multiple myeloma: from diagnosis to targeted therapy?
abstract: The interaction between neoplastic cells and the microenvironment is critical in several cancers and plays a central role in multiple myeloma. Microenvironmental stimuli support plasma cell proliferation, survival, motility and can determine drug resistance. The network between plasma cells and surrounding cells is also responsible for increasing angiogenesis, unbalancing bone formation and bony lesions. The MET/HGF pathway is a key player in this interaction and has been found to be abnormally active in both malignant plasma cells and surrounding cells. Patients with abnormal MET and/or HGF levels usually have a poor outcome even when treated with novel drugs. This review addresses the role of MET/HGF in the pathogenesis of myeloma and describes the role of MET/HGF signaling as a prognostic factor. The different techniques to detect MET/HGF abnormalities are examined and a description of compounds targeting MET/HGF is also provided.
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Unit, Division of Hematology, University of Torino, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambella
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
keywords: HGF; MET; myeloma; prognosis; target therapy