Pharmacology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Pharmacology, including details on pharmacogenomics, drug development, new medications.

Drug development of MET inhibitors: targeting oncogene addiction and expedience.

Comoglio PM, Giordano S, Trusolino L

Division of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), University of Turin School of Medicine, Candiolo, Turin 10060, Italy. paolo.comoglio@ircc.it

The MET tyrosine kinase stimulates cell scattering, invasion, protection from apoptosis and angiogenesis, thereby acting as a powerful expedient for cancer dissemination. MET can also be genetically selected for the long-term maintenance of the primary transformed phenotype, and some tumours appear to be dependent on (or 'addicted' to) sustained MET activity for their growth and survival. Because of its dual role as an adjuvant, pro-metastatic gene for some tumour types and as a necessary oncogene for others, MET is a versatile candidate for targeted therapeutic intervention. Here we discuss recent progress in the development of molecules that inhibit MET function and consider their application in a subset of human tumours that are potentially responsive to MET-targeted therapies.

Published 30 May 2008 in Nat Rev Drug Discov, 7(6): 504-16.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Pharmacology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.