c-MET positivity and its relationship with histopathological findings in gastric carcinomas exhibiting HER2 gene expression

• Published in: Indian journal of pathology & microbiology Vol. 65; no. 4; pp. 786 - 790
• Main Authors: Coskun, Ferhat, Ayhan, Semin, Tan, Ayca, Isisag, Aydin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mumbai Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.10.2022; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: c-met; Cancer; Carcinoma; dual sish/ihc; ErbB-2 protein; Gastric cancer; gastric carcinoma; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Genetic research; her2; Hybridization; Immunohistochemistry; in situ hybridization; Kinases; Localization; Monoclonal antibodies; Prognosis; Staining; Statistical analysis; Stomach cancer; Trastuzumab; Tyrosine; c-MET; immunohistochemistry; dual SISH/IHC; gastric carcinoma; HER2; in situ hybridization
• ISSN: 0377-4929; 0974-5130; 0974-5130
• DOI: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_23_21

Context: Co-expressions of receptor tyrosine kinases such as c-MET and HER2 were reported in many studies. The concomitant expression is associated with more aggressive clinical course. Aims: In this study, it was intended to investigate the correlation of the positivity of c-MET and HER2 with histopathologic findings and their impacts on prognosis. Subjects and Methods: After the decision of the ethics committee, a total of 64 cases, whose HER 2 status was studied by dual silver in situ hybridization/immunohistochemistry method, were included in the study. Immunohistochemical staining for c-MET was performed to all cases and the evaluation was performed similarly to the criteria for HER2 evaluation, but cytoplasmic staining was also considered significant. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using SPSS 20 for Windows. Results: c-MET positivity which is considered by the score of 2+ and 3+ was found only in 34.4% of HER2 positive cases while it was 59.3% in HER2 negative cases (P = 0.045). The sole histopathological feature associated with c-MET positivity was distal gastric localization (P = 0.016). Conclusions: Even though higher rates of c-MET positivity in HER2 positive cases were stated in the literature, contrary results were obtained in this study. Comparing the HER2+/c-MET + co-expression group with the other groups, no difference was found about age, sex, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The presence of c-MET positivity in cases with HER2 expression suggests that c-MET expression might be associated with the resistance to Trastuzumab.