Prognostic value of c-MET in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregate data

SZTURZ, Petr, Marie BUDÍKOVÁ, Jan B. VERMORKEN, Ivanka HOROVÁ, Břetislav GÁL, Eric RAYMOND, A. de GRAMONT and Sandrine FAIVRE. Prognostic value of c-MET in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregate data. Oral oncology. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2017, vol. 74, NOV 2017, p. 68-76. ISSN 1368-8375. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.09.009.

Basic information

• Original name: Prognostic value of c-MET in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregate data
• Authors: SZTURZ, Petr (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Marie BUDÍKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Jan B. VERMORKEN (56 Belgium), Ivanka HOROVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Břetislav GÁL (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Eric RAYMOND (250 France), A. de GRAMONT (250 France) and Sandrine FAIVRE (250 France).
• Edition: Oral oncology, AMSTERDAM, ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2017, 1368-8375.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 30204 Oncology
• Country of publisher: Netherlands
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 4.636
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14110/17:00099947
• Organization unit: Faculty of Medicine
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.09.009
• UT WoS: 000414323200011
• Keywords in English: c-MET receptor; Head and neck cancer; Immunohistochemistry; Overexpression; Prognostic factor; Predictive factor
• Tags: EL OK, podil
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

Objectives: The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) ligand/receptor axis has been implicated in pathogenesis of malignant diseases including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Overexpression of c-MET has been reported as a common molecular abnormality in SCCHN, although its prognostic and predictive value remains to be validated. Methods: We systematically searched literature for studies evaluating c-MET expression on immunohistochemistry in newly diagnosed, non-metastatic SCCHN. The c-MET expressing cases were classified into three categories according to predefined cut-off values for positivity. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of c-MET expression and its relationship with selected clinicopathological variables. Results: Twenty-eight studies with 2019 cases were included. Relative frequencies of c-MET expression above cut-off levels I, II, and III were 81.8%, 63.8%, and 46.2%, respectively. Differences between these three values were statistically significant (p < 1.0 x 10(-6)). Above cut-off level II, c-MET positivity was associated with worse overall survival (p = 4.0 x 10(-6)), positive nodal status (p = 1.0 x 10(-4)), higher disease stage (p = 7.0 x 10(-4)), older age (p = 2.1 x 10(-3)), disease recurrence (p = 2.0 x 10(-2)), and primary tumour localization in the oral cavity (p = 2.3 x 10(-2)). Above cut-off level III, c-MET positivity was associated with worse disease-free or progression-free survival (p = 9.0 x 10(-6)), p16 negativity ( p = 2.4 x 10(-4)), worse overall survival (p = 4.0 x 10(-4)), positive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status (p = 7.2 x 10(-4)), and larger primary tumours (p = 4.6 x 10(-3)). Conclusion: In SCCHN, immunohistochemical overexpression of c-MET above cut-off levels III and particularly II was associated with inferior survival outcomes and advanced disease. Moreover, it represents a promising predictive biomarker for c-MET targeting, yet the optimal scoring method remains to be defined.