title: Ockham's razor for the MET-driven invasive growth linking idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cancer.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) identifies a specific lung disorder characterized by chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology, which lacks effective treatment. According to the current pathogenic perspective, the aberrant proliferative events in IPF resemble those occurring during malignant transformation.
  
  
  
  Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are known to be key players in cancer onset and progression. It has been demonstrated that RTK expression is sometimes also altered and even druggable in IPF. One example of an RTK-the MET proto-oncogene-is a key regulator of invasive growth. This physiological genetic program supports embryonic development and post-natal organ regeneration, as well as cooperating in the evolution of cancer metastasis when aberrantly activated. Growing evidence sustains that MET activation may collaborate in maintaining tissue plasticity and the regenerative potential that characterizes IPF.
  
  
  
  The present work aims to elucidate-by applying the logic of simplicity-the bio-molecular mechanisms involved in MET activation in IPF. This clarification is crucial to accurately design MET blockade strategies within a fully personalized approach to IPF.
authors: Pneumology Unit, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation and University of Pavia Medical School, Piazzale Golgi 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy. g.stella@smatteo.pv.it.|Investigational Clinical Oncology (INCO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060, Turin, Italy. g.stella@smatteo.pv.it.
authors: Giulia M
authors: GM
authors: Stella
authors: Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology (ECMO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060, Turin, Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Gentile
authors: Investigational Clinical Oncology (INCO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060, Turin, Italy.
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Balderacchi
authors: Pneumology Unit, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation and University of Pavia Medical School, Piazzale Golgi 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Meloni
authors: Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology (ECMO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060, Turin, Italy.
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Milan
authors: Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology (ECMO), IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, Candiolo, 20060, Turin, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Benvenuti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
keywords: Cancer; Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Invasive growth; Precision medicine