The c-Met tyrosine kinase receptor and its ligand , the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), are involved in a range of biological functions, such as cell proliferation, motility and invasion, and angiogenesis. The c-Met/HGF pathway is frequently activated in a variety of cancers and implicated in tumorigenesis and metastatic progression. Thus, the receptor and its ligand represent an attractive target for cancer therapy. Targeting the protein tyrosine kinase c-met with small molecules has been successful in drug discovery. At least three selective c-Met tk inhibitors and at least another three c-Met multi-targeting inhibitors are in early clinical development. Apart from small molecule approaches, several companies use biologics to target c-met and its ligand. Antibodies, proteins and peptides against c-Met or HGF are in clinical and preclinical development.

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