Responses to crizotinib can occur in c-MET overexpressing nonsmall cell lung cancer after developing EGFR-TKI resistance

Abstract

Evidence suggests that activation of the MET signaling pathway might be associated with EGFR-TKI resistance. EGFR TKI-resistant lung cancers often remain sensitive to inhibition of the EGFR pathway; thus, c-MET inhibitors are likely to be effective when combined with continued EGFR-TKI treatment. Here, we described a 56-year-old male who became refractory after first-line gefitinib therapy and was confirmed to have c-MET overexpression without a T790M mutation, c-MET amplification or MET exon 14 alterations. A complete response to crizotinib occurred in this patient. Our case report uncovered the underlying mechanism of c-MET overexpression in affecting EGFR-TKI sensitivity, and crizotinib may assist in overcoming this problem.