Cells throughout the body carry a gene called MET. The MET gene makes a protein, a receptor, that sits on the cell’s surface and receives messages about how the cell should grow and divide–especially when it comes to embryonic development. The MET protein also acts as a receptor for Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF).
These receptors work like antennas, and they send reports from the surface to the inside of the cell and tell it what to do and how to behave.
When the MET gene is acting normally, cells grow and divide as they should. But sometimes a problem in the MET gene can form. This typically occurs after birth.
When MET genes get altered, their receptors mutate, and too many copies of the gene form (amplification), or the protein becomes overactive (overexpressed). This can lead to cells growing and dividing uncontrollably, causing an environment where cancer can form.
Biomarker testing can be run on tumor or blood samples to determine if there’s an alteration in the MET gene.
Currently, there are not any FDA-approved therapies for patients with GI cancer and a MET mutation/overexpression, however there are many ongoing clinical trials.
Your treatment plan will be unique and dependent on several factors.
Ask your doctor how your biomarker test results are informing your treatment plan and if you qualify for any clinical trials.
