The study aimed to construct the second and third generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) targeting the c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) protein, and observe their killing effect on human serous ovarian cancer cell SKOV-3. The expression of MET gene in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, the correlation between MET gene expression and the abundance of immune cell infiltration, and the effect of MET gene expression on the tissue function of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma were analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression of c-Met in ovarian cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The second and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells, namely c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G), were prepared by lentivirus infection, and the cell subsets and infection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry. Using CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells as control groups and A2780 cells with c-Met negative expression as Non target groups, the kill efficiency on SKOV-3 cells with c-Met positive expression, cytokine release and cell proliferation of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) were explored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, ELISA and CCK-8 respectively. The results showed that MET gene expression was significantly up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. However, in all pathological stages, there was no obvious difference in MET expression and no correlation between MET gene expression and the race and age of ovarian cancer patients. The second generation and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells were successfully constructed. After lentivirus infection, the proportion of CD8⁺ T cells in c-Met CAR-T(2G) was upregulated, while there was no significant change in the cell subsets of c-Met CAR-T(3G). The LDH release experiment showed that the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) on SKOV-3 increased with the increase of effect-target ratio. When the effect-target ratio was 20:1, the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G) reached (42.02 ± 5.17)% (P < 0.05), and the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(3G) reached (51.40 ± 2.71)% (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that c-Met CAR-T released more cytokine compared to CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, the cytokine release of c-Met CAR-T(3G) was higher than c-Met CAR-T(2G) (P < 0.01). The CCK-8 results showed that after 48 h, the cell number of c-Met CAR-T(2G) was higher than that of c-Met CAR-T(3G) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, both the second and third generation c-Met CAR-T can target and kill c-Met-positive SKOV-3 cells, with no significant difference. c-Met CAR-T(2G) has stronger proliferative ability, and c-Met CAR-T(3G) releases more cytokines.
Humans ; Female ; Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism* ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology*

The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) gene, located on human chromosome 7, plays a crucial role in the regulation of physiological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The MET gene is one of the key drivers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with various forms of abnormalities including MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping mutations, MET gene amplification, MET fusions, MET protein overexpression, MET activating mutations and etc. With an increasing understanding of the mechanisms underlying MET abnormalities, therapeutic strategies targeting these abnormalities have gained significant attention, and numerous studies have confirmed that NSCLC patients with MET abnormalities can derive substantial benefits from such treatments. Lung Cancer Specialty Committee of Chinese Elderly Health Care Association organized a panel of experts to provide professional recommendations on current clinical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of MET-aberrant NSCLC, combining clinical practice experiences and evidence-based medical evidences. The "Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of NSCLC with MET Abnormalities (2025 Version)" has been formulated to provide standardized guidances for clinical practice in China, with the aim of optimizing the treatment outcomes.
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Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy* ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism* ; Consensus ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor effects of cinobufacini (CINO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP) and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of CINO on HCC cell proliferation was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 method, and the apoptosis rate was quantified using flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to investigate the differential expression of proteins associated with cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion pathways after CINO treatment. The therapeutic potential of CINO for HCC was confirmed, and the possibility of combining cinobufacini with c-Met inhibitor for the treatment of primary HCC was further validated by in vivo experiments. RESULTS: Under the induction of DCP, CINO inhibited the activity of HCC cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion. Upon the induction of DCP, CINO regulated c-Met activation and the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways. In a mouse model of HCC, CINO exhibited significant antitumor effects by inhibiting the phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways in tumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS CINO inhibited HCC cell growth, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed HCC cell invasion and migration by targeting c-Met and PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways under DCP induction.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Animals ; Humans ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Amphibian Venoms/therapeutic use* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Male ; Bufanolides/therapeutic use* ; Protein Precursors ; Prothrombin ; Biomarkers

Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) gene mutation is a large class of mutations commonly seen in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MET mutation includes subtypes such as MET exon 14 skipping mutation (METex14m) and MET amplification (METamp). For advanced NSCLC with METex14m, Savolitinib has a high sensitivity as a member of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). METamp is a relatively rare genetic mutation type which can serve as a driver gene to mediate primary and later acquired drug resistance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-TKIs. For advanced NSCLC with secondary METamp, EGFR-TKIs combined with MET-TKIs are usually used in clinical treatment, while the optimal treatment strategy for advanced NSCLC with primary METamp has not yet been determined. For locally advanced NSCLC patients with positive driver gene mutations such as EGFR, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion and METex14m, there have been relevant cases reported that neoadjuvant targeted therapy could achieve a good prognosis, but there have been no cases of neoadjuvant targeted therapy for locally advanced NSCLC patients with METamp. This report describes a case of a locally advanced NSCLC patient with dual driver gene mutations (EGFR L858R combined with primary METamp), the tumor did not shrink after 1 month of Gefitinib monotherapy, but significantly subsided after 4 months of Savolitinib monotherapy. After radical surgery, the pathological results proved pathological complete response (pCR) of the tumor, and the patient had a good response to postoperative continual Savolitinib treatment, with no recurrence nor metastasis observed to date. This case reports the feasibility and effectiveness of neoadjuvant targeted therapy for locally advanced NSCLC with primary METamp, aiming to provide effective reference for perioperative treatment of locally advanced NSCLC with primary METamp.
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Humans ; Acrylamides/therapeutic use* ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology* ; Gene Amplification ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics* ; Triazines

With the rapid development of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene testing of lung adenocarcinoma patients has been routinely carried out, EGFR mutations are also possible for some small samples of non-smoking female lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. This increases the opportunity for targeted therapy for this group of patients. However, drug resistance in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma during targeted therapy is an important factor affecting subsequent treatment. There are multiple mechanisms of acquired drug resistance in targeted therapy, and the alteration of mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) signaling pathway is one of the common mechanisms of drug resistance. At present, some selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of MET has been approved for non-small cell lung cancer with MET gene 14 exon skipping mutation, such as Glumetinib, Savolitinib, Tepotinib, Capmatinib, etc. Drugs that target secondary MET amplification are still in clinical trials. This paper retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of a female patient with EGFR-TKIs resistant secondary MET amplified squamous cell lung cancer, and reviewed relevant literature to explore how to optimize the treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients with EGFR mutation, so as to provide clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such patients.
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Female ; Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; ErbB Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Gene Amplification ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics*

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), approximately 3%-7% harbor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusions. In recent years, multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved the survival of patients with metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC. However, disease progression due to resistance remains a challenge. This article retrospectively analyzes a case of advanced lung adenocarcinoma with the echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 (EML4)-ALK fusion variant 3 (V3). The patient developed resistance to Lorlatinib treatment accompanied by mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) amplification. Effective tumor control was achieved with the combined use of Crizotinib and Lorlatinib, providing a valuable reference for further exploration of treatment strategies following resistance to ALK-TKIs in clinical practice.
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Humans ; Adenocarcinoma/genetics* ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics* ; Aminopyridines/therapeutic use* ; Crizotinib/therapeutic use* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; Lactams/therapeutic use* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism* ; Pyrazoles/therapeutic use*

Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; China ; Consensus ; East Asian People ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics*

The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) exon 14 skipping mutation is mainly caused by the loss of c-Cbl tyrosine binding site. This mutation could result in a decrease in the degradation rate of proteasome-mediated MET proteins, trigger continuous activation of downstream pathways, and ultimately lead to tumorigenesis. The incidence of MET exon 14 skipping mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 0.9% to 4.0%. Patients with advanced NSCLC are recommended to test MET exon 14 skipping mutations who may benefit from MET inhibitors-targeted therapy. MET inhibitors have a high objective response rate and good safety profiles, which could prolong the survival of NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations. The Lung Cancer Specialty Committee of Chinese Elderly Health Care Association organized multidisciplinary experts to give suggestions on the important issues of clinical aspects for targeted therapy of MET exon 14 skipping mutation in NSCLC according to the clinical practice experiences and evidences based medicine. "Expert Consensus on Targeted Therapy of NSCLC with MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutation" is proposed, aiming to provide standardized guidances for the clinical practice of Chinese physicians.
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Humans ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Consensus ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics* ; Mutation ; Exons ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

MET gene is a proto-oncogene, which encodes MET protein with tyrosine kinase activity. After binding to its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor, MET protein can induce MET dimerization and activate downstream signaling pathways, which plays a crucial role in tumor formation and metastasis. Savolitinib, as a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting MET, selectively inhibits the phosphorylation of MET kinase with a significant inhibitory effect on tumors with MET abnormalities. Based on its significant efficacy shown in the registration studies, savolitinib was approved for marketing in China on June 22, 2021 for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with MET 14 exon skipping mutations. In addition, many studies have shown that MET TKIs are equally effective in patients with advanced solid tumors with MET gene amplification or MET protein overexpression, and relevant registration clinical studies are ongoing. The most common adverse reactions during treatment with savolitinib include nausea, vomiting, peripheral edema, pyrexia, and hepatotoxicity. Based on two rounds of extensive nationwide investigations to guide clinicians, the consensus is compiled to use savolitinib rationally, prevent and treat various adverse reactions scientifically, and improve the clinical benefits and quality of life of patients. This consensus was prepared under the guidance of multidisciplinary experts, especially including the whole-process participation and valuable suggestions of experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine, thus reflecting the clinical treatment concept of integrated Chinese and western medicines.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Consensus ; Quality of Life ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects* ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Mutation

Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) amplification is an important driver of resistance in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the combination of MET proto-oncogene (MET) and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has shown promise in overcoming this molecularly defined acquired resistance. Emerging data also demonstrate MET amplification as a resistance driver to TKIs-treated anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-, RET-, and ROS1-fusion NSCLC. Here, we review the literature on recent research progress of MET amplification as a resistance driver to targeted therapy in oncogene-driven NSCLC and summarize the progress of clinical strategies to overcome the resistance mechanism.
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics*