Lung cancer is the largest cancer killer but is also a heterogeneous disease in which different oncoproteins contribute to genetic subtypes, some of which carry specific treatments. Despite favorable outcomes when therapies are matched to driving oncogenes, only small fraction of lung cancer patients are treated in a targeted manners. Our goal is to optimize targeted therapy for the large proportion of lung cancer patients harboring activating mutations in the Mesenchymal Epithelial Transformation (MET) gene. Background: MET mutations are the most recent addition to the list of druggable, recurrently mutated kinases in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have recently defined the frequency of MET aberrations in NSCLC, and identified exon 14 deletion in the juxtamembrane domain of MET as the most common somatic MET event. The mechanism for its action and its susceptibility to existing targeted MET therapies is however poorly defined, preventing targeted treatment of this large population of NSCLC patients. Methods: We will focus on the many effects MET exon 14 mutations may have on the kinase, with the goal of understanding how this mutation drives cancer. We will first characterize the juxtamembrane segment of MET regulates the kinase. Next, we will study how exon 14 deletions affect MET inhibitors' binding and whether mutation confers affinity for specific classes of kinase inhibitors. Finally, we will model prototypical resistance mutations to first generation (Type I) MET inhibitors in vivo, and suggest strategies to overcome them using targeted approaches with Type II inhibitors. Impact: This project focuses on a common and understudied mutation in lung cancer, the most lethal cancer type, by far. Thousands of Americans die each year with MET-mutated lung cancer, and often do so without being considered for targeted therapy against their tumor's genotype. We will clarify the role MET mutation plays in lung cancer and will structurally define how the most common mutations activate this oncoprotein. This project will foster development of therapies targeting MET exon 14 mutations, and optimize approaches to targeting the most common anticipated routes of resistance.
Lung cancer is a deadly disease that kills more Americans than colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer combined. Great advances have been made in treating certain patients but most patients still are treated with untargeted therapies. MET has emerged as a druggable target in this disease but we do not know how the mutations that activate MET exert their effect and how they change MET interactions with inhibitors. This project will take a structural and biological approach to MET inhibition in lung adenocarcinoma to optimize both first line treatment and anticipate resistance mechanisms so we can prevent them before they occur.
