Physicians treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, form of a metastatic liver cancer can probably seek help from the following article. Experts from the Penn State College of Medicine suggest that people with hepatocellular carcinoma can be treated by targeting the protein c-Met. Apparently, c-Met is a receptor for hepatocyte growth factor and encourages liver cancer metastasis.
While conducting the pre-clinical translational research, c-Met appeared overexpressed in metastatic liver cancer cells. This receptor may be correlated with a poor diagnosis. It was affirmed that targeting c-Met is an effective therapy for some patients. In the course of the five-year HCC survival, only 2 percent reported the disease after metastasis. Researchers claim that sorafenib is the most recent approved mediation for advanced HCC and aid patients with an extra two months survival.
Hanning You, M.D., Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, elucidated, “In addition to finding that c-Met is a significant biomarker for liver cancer, we conducted an analysis of six published manuscripts and 1,051 patients. Through this analysis we demonstrated and confirmed that c-Met activation is strongly associated with poor prognosis and aggressive features in patients with liver cancer tumors.”
Once c-Met is targeted, tumor growth and proliferation was seemingly curbed in a mouse model. Molecular profiling possibly enabled better treatment for the 45 percent of HCC patients diagnosed with c-Met positive tumors. Scientists are currently experimenting HCC in humans. Also experts are working on establishing a molecular profile of HCC patients before initiating the treatment.
The research was funded by Children’s Miracle Network, National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society and Clinical and Translational Science Institute.