Abstract 4918
Background
Oncogenic MET signaling is often deployed by tumors for malignant transformation through genomic events like tyrosine kinase domain mutations, juxtamembrane splicing mutation and amplified copy numbers, which can be inhibited by c-MET small molecule inhibitors. We present biochemical and clinical findings on a polymorphism of MET, which is common in the East Asian population.
Methods
Germline DNA (gDNA) of lung, nasopharyngeal, liver, breast, gastric and colon cancer cohorts among East Asians (n = 1,076) were genotyped for MET (p.N375S) polymorphism using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Relapse free survival (RFS) with curative intent was compared using log-rank test. Screening for protein-protein interaction was performed with SILAC. Clinical study is now enrolling MET-N375S+ squamous cell (SCC) head and neck patients to be given 30mg afatinib daily. Treatment outcome was determined with F-FDG PET/CT scan. Baseline (BL) and post-treatment biopsies were analyzed with immunohistochemistry for response biomarkers and in situ hybridization-proximity ligation assay (ISH-PLA) for receptor interaction.
Results
Fraction of the MET-N375S+ cases is comparable across cancer patients and cancer-free controls (9-18%). METN375S was associated with significantly shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) in SCC of the head and neck (HNSCC; P = 0.005) and lung (LUSC; P = 0.029). SILAC revealed interaction of MET-N375S with HER2 (P < 0.05). Two patients with refractory HNSCC who completed 1 cycle of afatinib, a pan-HER inhibitor, showed radiological tumour shrinkage and reduction in metabolic activity, with partial response by RECIST 1.1 measurement observed in one patient. Evaluable BL biopsy showed strong MET-HER2 interaction (ISH-PLA) with strong staining of phosphorylated MET and HER2 (IHC), which were significantly reduced post-treatment, indicative of successive intervention of MET-N375S/HER2 signaling.
Conclusions
We established MET-N375S as a biologically-distinct molecular subset of SCC that drives malignancy through HER2 signaling, and could serve as a predictive biomarker to select refractory patients with dismal prognosis for afatinib treatment.
Clinical trial identification
NCT03938012. Actual study start date: October 3, 2017; Estimated primary completion date: October 2021; Estimated study completion date: October 2022.
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.
Funding
National Medical Research Council, Singapore.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
3839 - Fenofibrate impairs pro-tumorigenic potential of cancer stem cell-like cells within drug-resistant prostate cancer cell populations.
Presenter: Tomasz Wróbel
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3842 - Effect of docetaxel-resistance on the reactivity of prostate cancer cells to metformin
Presenter: Jessica Catapano
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5198 - Cell plasticity and taxanes resistance in metastatic prostate cancer: ESRP1 as a predictive biomarker of taxane response
Presenter: Natalia Jimenez
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2981 - Effect of Selumetinib plus AZD8186 treatment on Cabazitaxel sensitivity in docetaxel-acquired resistant metastatic prostate cancer cell lines
Presenter: Vicenc Ruiz de Porras
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2779 - Anti-tumor activity of cediranib, a pan-inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Presenter: Majid Momeny
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1782 - The molecular mechanisms of EpCAM in regulating tumor progression and development of anti-EpCAM antibodies for colon cancer diagnosis and therapy
Presenter: Han-chung Wu
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1322 - Detection of microRNAs as biomarker for anti-EGFR antibody resistance in colon cancer patients
Presenter: Jens Hahne
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1579 - Serum exosomal microRNA-199b-5p as a novel circulating biomarker to predict response of preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
Presenter: Dong Won Baek
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1761 - Live biobank of patient-derived organoids from Thai colorectal cancer patients enables clinical outcome prediction
Presenter: Pariyada Tanjak
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3542 - The biological implications of PDCD6 dysregulation in colorectal cancer
Presenter: Romina Briffa
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract