Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion
Abstract The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) along with its receptor (c-MET) are crucial in preserving standard cellular physiological activities, and imbalances in the c-MET signaling pathway can lead to the development and advancement of tumors. It has been extensively demonstrated that immune chec...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Cell Communication and Signaling |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02033-1 |
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| author | Yang Xia Chunye Huang Min Zhong Hongguang Zhong Ruiwen Ruan Jianping Xiong Yangyang Yao Jing Zhou Jun Deng |
| author_facet | Yang Xia Chunye Huang Min Zhong Hongguang Zhong Ruiwen Ruan Jianping Xiong Yangyang Yao Jing Zhou Jun Deng |
| author_sort | Yang Xia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) along with its receptor (c-MET) are crucial in preserving standard cellular physiological activities, and imbalances in the c-MET signaling pathway can lead to the development and advancement of tumors. It has been extensively demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can result in prolonged remission in certain patients. Nevertheless, numerous preclinical studies have shown that MET imbalance hinders the effectiveness of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatments through various mechanisms. Consequently, clarifying the link between the c-MET signaling pathway and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as uncovering the effects of anti-MET treatment on ICI therapy, is crucial for enhancing the outlook for tumor patients. In this review, we examine the impact of abnormal activation of the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway on the control of the TME and the processes governing PD-L1 expression in cancer cells. The review thoroughly examines both clinical and practical evidence regarding the use of c-MET inhibitors alongside PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, emphasizing that focusing on c-MET with immunotherapy enhances the effectiveness of treating MET tumors exhibiting elevated PD-L1 expression. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-64fa5044d61a40c3a5a4858cf157d807 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1478-811X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cell Communication and Signaling |
| spelling | doaj-art-64fa5044d61a40c3a5a4858cf157d8072025-01-26T12:44:46ZengBMCCell Communication and Signaling1478-811X2025-01-0123111810.1186/s12964-025-02033-1Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasionYang Xia0Chunye Huang1Min Zhong2Hongguang Zhong3Ruiwen Ruan4Jianping Xiong5Yangyang Yao6Jing Zhou7Jun Deng8Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityAbstract The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) along with its receptor (c-MET) are crucial in preserving standard cellular physiological activities, and imbalances in the c-MET signaling pathway can lead to the development and advancement of tumors. It has been extensively demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can result in prolonged remission in certain patients. Nevertheless, numerous preclinical studies have shown that MET imbalance hinders the effectiveness of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatments through various mechanisms. Consequently, clarifying the link between the c-MET signaling pathway and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as uncovering the effects of anti-MET treatment on ICI therapy, is crucial for enhancing the outlook for tumor patients. In this review, we examine the impact of abnormal activation of the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway on the control of the TME and the processes governing PD-L1 expression in cancer cells. The review thoroughly examines both clinical and practical evidence regarding the use of c-MET inhibitors alongside PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, emphasizing that focusing on c-MET with immunotherapy enhances the effectiveness of treating MET tumors exhibiting elevated PD-L1 expression.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02033-1CellularMesenchymal epithelial transition factor, Tumor microenvironment, PD1/PDL1 inhibitors, cMET inhibitors, HGF/cMET signaling pathway |
| spellingShingle | Yang Xia Chunye Huang Min Zhong Hongguang Zhong Ruiwen Ruan Jianping Xiong Yangyang Yao Jing Zhou Jun Deng Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion Cell Communication and Signaling Cellular Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor, Tumor microenvironment, PD 1/PD L1 inhibitors, c MET inhibitors, HGF/c MET signaling pathway |
| title | Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion |
| title_full | Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion |
| title_fullStr | Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion |
| title_short | Targeting HGF/c-MET signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment: Implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion |
| title_sort | targeting hgf c met signaling to regulate the tumor microenvironment implications for counteracting tumor immune evasion |
| topic | Cellular Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor, Tumor microenvironment, PD 1/PD L1 inhibitors, c MET inhibitors, HGF/c MET signaling pathway |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02033-1 |
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