FGFR a promising druggable target in cancer: Molecular biology and new drugs.

Abstract: Introduction: The Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) family consists of Tyrosine Kinase Receptors (TKR) involved in several biological functions. Recently, alterations of FGFR have been reported to be important for progression and development of several cancers. In this setting, different studies are trying to evaluate the efficacy of different therapies targeting FGFR. Areas Covered: This review summarizes the current status of treatments targeting FGFR, focusing on the trials that are evaluating the FGFR profile as inclusion criteria: Multi-Target, Pan-FGFR Inhibitors and anti-FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor)/FGFR Monoclonal Antibodies. Expert opinion: Most of the TKR share …

Resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer

The role of cMET in non-small cell lung cancer resistant to EGFR-Inhibitors: Did we really find the target?

Abstract: The advent of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represented the most important innovation in NSCLC treatment over the last years. However, despite a great initial activity, secondary mutations in the same target, or different alterations in other molecular pathways, inevitably occur, leading to the emergence of acquired resistance, in median within the first year of treatment. In this scenario, the mesenchymal-epidermal transition (cMET) tyrosine kinase receptor and its natural ligand, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), seem to play an important role. Indeed either the overexpression or the amplification of cMET, as well as the overexpr…

Abstract 3382: Exosomes analysis in non-small cell lung cancer: looking for a clinical application

Abstract BACKGROUND Cancer cells produce a heterogeneous mixture of vesicular, organelle-like structures (microvesicles or MVs) into their surroundings including blood and body fluid. In particular exosomes are biological nanovescicles (40-100 nm) that are formed by the inward budding of multivescicular bodies (MVB), as a component of the endocytic pathway. They are released from different cell types under both normal and pathological conditions. Exosomal content is composed by proteins, DNA, mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) that are transferred to distant site and mediate inter-cellular communication. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this pilot study is to investigate whether exosomes isolation fr…

P2.09:cMET in NSCLC: Expression, Amplification and Mutations: Track: Biology and Pathogenesis

Exosomal miRNA analysis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients' plasma through qPCR : a feasible liquid biopsy tool

Abstract: The discovery of alterations in the EGFR and ALK genes, amongst others, in NSCLC has driven the development of targeted-drug therapy using selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). To optimize the use of these TKIs, the discovery of new biomarkers for early detection and disease progression is mandatory. These plasma-isolated exosomes can be used as a non-invasive and repeatable way for the detection and followup of these biomarkers. One ml of plasma from 12 NSCLC patients, with different mutations and treatments (and 6 healthy donors as controls), were used as exosome sources. After RNAse treatment, in order to degrade circulating miRNAs, the exosomes were isolated with a comm…