Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P10721 (c-kit)
 6,575 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Signaling molecules that are responsible for proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells following ectopic expression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) were investigated in the interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent hematopoietic cell line, FDC-P1. Cells were transfected with human platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R), macrophage colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), and chimeras consisting of the extracellular domain of EGF-R and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of either HER2 (HER1-2) or c-kit (EK-R). All FDC-P1 transfectants proliferated in response to the corresponding growth factor in the absence of IL-3. However, only cells expressing PDGF-R, CSF-1R, and EK-R (type III RTKs) differentiated along the monocyte-macrophage lineage after treatment with their activating ligands. Analysis of proteins from these RTK-expressing cells revealed that a Mr 85,000 protein showed in vitro phosphorylation, and V8 protease peptide mapping showed that this protein was p85, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). Accordingly, activation of PDGF-R-, CSF-1R-, and EK-R-expressing cells led to an increase in PI3-kinase activity. Expression of EK-R mutant Y721F, which lacked the known p85 binding site, blocked differentiation and activation of PI3-kinase, without affecting proliferation. Last, addition of wortmannin to cells expressing PDGF-R, CSF-1R, and EK-R blocked ligand-induced differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect correlated with wortmannin's ability to inhibit PI3-kinase. Thus, ectopic expression of both type I and III RTKs could stimulate FDC-P1 proliferation in the absence of IL-3; however, only activation of type III RTKs led to differentiation via selective coupling to p85 and PI3-kinase activation.
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PMID:Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is necessary for differentiation of FDC-P1 cells following stimulation of type III receptor tyrosine kinases. 954 91

Many components of mitogenic signaling pathways in normal and neoplastic cells have been identified, including the large family of protein kinases, which function as components of signal transduction pathways, playing a central role in diverse biological processes, such as control of cell growth, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis. The development of selective protein kinase inhibitors that can block or modulate diseases caused by abnormalities in these signaling pathways is widely considered a promising approach for drug development. Because of their deregulation in human cancers, protein kinases, such as Bcr-Abl, those in the epidermal growth factor-receptor (HER) family, the cell cycle regulating kinases such as the cyclin-dependent kinases, as well as the vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor kinases involved in the neo-vascularization of tumors, are among the protein kinases considered as prime targets for the development of selective inhibitors. These drug-discovery efforts have generated inhibitors and low-molecular weight therapeutics directed against the ATP-binding site of various protein kinases that are in various stages of development (up to Phase II/III clinical trials). Three examples of inhibitors of protein kinases are reviewed, including low-molecular weight compounds targeting the cell cycle kinases; a potent and selective inhibitor of the HER1/HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase, the pyrollopyrimidine PKI166; and the 2-phenyl-aminopyrimidine STI571 (Glivec(R), Gleevec) a targeted drug therapy directed toward Bcr-Abl, the key player in chronic leukemia (CML). Some members of the HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases, in particular HER1 and HER2, have been found to be overexpressed in a variety of human tumors, suggesting that inhibition of HER signaling would be a viable antiproliferative strategy. The pyrrolo-pyrimidine PKI166 was developed as an HER1/HER2 inhibitor with potent in vitro antiproliferative and in vivo antitumor activity. Based upon its clear association with disease, the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase in CML represents the ideal target to validate the clinical utility of protein kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents. In a preclinical model, STI571 (Glivec(R), Gleevec) showed potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity that was selective for Abl, c-Kit, and the platelet-derived growth factor-receptor. Phase I/II studies demonstrated that STI571 is well tolerated, and that it showed promising hematological and cytogenetic responses in CML and clinical responses in the c-Kit-driven gastrointestinal tumors.
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PMID:Protein kinases as targets for anticancer agents: from inhibitors to useful drugs. 1219 2

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor is a rare tumor typically involving peritoneum. Although the histogenesis of desmoplastic small round cell tumor has yet to be elucidated, immunophenotypical and morphological analysis shows a characteristic divergent phenotype overlapping with other round cell tumors such as Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, small cell mesothelioma, and carcinoma. Detection of the EWS-WT1 gene fusion is characteristic of desmoplastic small round cell tumor and has been used reliably in tumor diagnosis. In this study, we evaluated the immunophenotype of 23 desmoplastic small round cell tumor cases with the EWS-WT1 gene fusion product identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Paraffin sections were stained with antibodies against calretinin, WT1 (C19), desmin, myoglobin, MyoD, Myf5, myogenin, placental alkaline phosphatase, cytokeratins, MIC2, HER2/neu and c-kit using standard immunohistochemical methods. Immunoreactivity was evaluated semiquantitively by light microscopy. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors showed reactivity with calretinin in 4/21, desmin in 21/23, myoglobin in 5/17, placental alkaline phosphatase in 17/21, HER2/neu in 7/18 (3+ in 1 and 1+ in 6), c-kit in 2/14, MIC2 in 13/23, WT1 in 16/23, CAM5.2 in 21/23, and AE1/3 in 16/23 cases. The most sensitive myogenic and epithelial markers are desmin and CAM 5.2. Although nuclear reactivity of the early myogenic regulatory factors (MyoD, myogenin, Myf5) was not detected, myoglobin immunoreactivity was present in 29% of desmoplastic small round cell tumors. HER2/neu overexpression (3+) and c-kit expression are uncommon in desmoplastic small round cell tumors. A panel of myogenic and epithelial markers should be used to detect the divergent phenotype in desmoplastic small round cell tumors, a key feature in the differential diagnosis. Detection of EWS-WT1 fusion becomes critical for the diagnosis when the characteristic divergent phenotype cannot be detected immunohistochemically.
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PMID:Immunophenotype of desmoplastic small round cell tumors as detected in cases with EWS-WT1 gene fusion product. 1264 Jan 3

Seminal studies with STI-571 and Herceptin in chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and breast cancer have clearly demonstrated that blockade of pathogenic tyrosine kinases can alter the natural history of appropriately selected human tumors. On the other hand, trials with EGF receptor inhibitors in unselected populations have shown anywhere from modest to no clinical activity. I will contrast below aspects in the development of inhibitors of Abl, c-Kit, HER2/neu (erbB2), and EGFR, highlight successes and pitfalls in this field, and propose some approaches for the future development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in human cancer.
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PMID:Inhibiting tyrosine kinases: successes and limitations. 1450 84

Neoplastic transformation is often related to abnormal activation of growth factor receptors and their signaling pathways. The concept of targeting specific tumorigenic receptors and/or signaling molecules has been validated by the development and successful clinical application of drugs acting against the epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu, Erb2), the epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR, HER1), the Brc-Abl kinase, the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and c-kit. This review will focus on the next promising therapeutic target, the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR). IGF-IR has been implicated in a number of neoplastic diseases, including several common carcinomas. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, of particular importance is that IGF-IR appears to be required for many transforming agents (genetic, viral, chemical) to act, but is not obligatory for the function of normal adult cells. The tumorigenic potential of IGF-IR is mediated through its antiapoptotic and transforming signaling, and in some cases through induction of prometastatic pathways. Preclinical studies demonstrated that downregulation of IGF-IR reversed the neoplastic phenotype and sensitized cells to antitumor treatments. The strategies to block IGF-IR function employed anti-IGF-IR antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors of the IGF-IR tyrosine kinase, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and antisense RNA, small inhibitory RNA, triple helix, dominant-negative mutants, and various compounds reducing ligand availability. The experience with these strategies combined with the knowledge gained with current anti-growth factor receptor drugs should streamline the development of anti-IGF-IR therapeutics.
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PMID:Growth factor receptors as therapeutic targets: strategies to inhibit the insulin-like growth factor I receptor. 1452 84

Modulation of the signaling pathways that are aberrant in cancer cells has the potential to provide an effective nontoxic approach to patient management in a broad range of cancers. This quest has taken a major leap forward with the demonstration that STI-571 (imatinib mesylate) induces clinical and molecular remissions in the majority of patients with interferon-refractory chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors through inhibition of the Bcr/Abl fusion protein required for the initiation and progression of chronic myelogenous leukemia and inhibition of a mutant, activated c-kit present in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Support for the concept of targeting products of fusion genes found in specific cancers was first provided by the efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia where the RARalpha all-trans retinoic acid target is the target of multiple different chromosomal rearrangements. In breast cancer, trastuzumab, which alters the function of the HER2 proto-oncogene overexpressed in a portion of breast cancers, provides an additional example of targeting specific molecular aberrations present in cancer cells. Although the target for these signal transduction modulators is functional in normal cells, acceptable therapeutic indices sufficient to prevent tumor growth without unacceptable toxicities have been observed. Whether STI-571 and other signal transduction modulators also target the stroma, and specifically the neovasculature, in addition to the tumor remains an open question. The presence of the target in the cancer cells or in the surrounding stroma appears to be required but not sufficient for the action of molecular therapeutics. Thus, linking molecular diagnostics to identify patients where the target is amplified or activated and driving the pathophysiology of the patients' tumor to effective molecular therapeutics will be necessary to translate these concepts into approaches that will alter the outcome for breast cancer patients. This review will focus on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway and novel molecules targeting this pathway to illustrate the questions and challenges underlying the implementation of molecular therapeutics in breast cancer.
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PMID:Linking molecular diagnostics to molecular therapeutics: targeting the PI3K pathway in breast cancer. 1461 30

Bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) are being used to target T cells or other immune cells to antigen-specific tumor targets. Anti-CD3 activated T cells (ATC) armed with anti-CD3 x anti-HER2 BiAb (HER2Bi) have been used to target Her2/neu + breast and prostate carcinoma cells. We adapted BiAb technology to target stem cells to injured myocardium. Since myocardial infarctions can lead to cardiac death and disability, rapid repair and rejuvenation of damaged myocardium is critically needed. Effective homing of stem cells and transdifferentiation of the stem cells into functional elements of the myocardium is needed for repair of damaged myocardium. We use a BiAb that binds c-kit on murine stem cells and VCAM-1 adhesion molecules up-regulated on injured myocardial cells. To test for specific binding and homing in a mouse, we produced anti-c-kit x anti-VCAM-1 to target purified Lin-Sca+ murine stem cells to the injured myocardium. Mice with infarcts created by ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) were directly injected with armed stem cells or injected via the internal jugular vein (IJ) with FACS sorted Lin-Sca+ stem cells from bone marrow after fluorescent dye labeling. There were increased numbers of armed Lin-Sca+ cells retained in infracted myocardium after direct injection of armed Lin-Sca+ cells and increased numbers of Lin-Sca+ cells that were found in injured myocardium after IJ injection. These results suggest that stem cells retargeted with BiAb can be directly injected and retained by injured myocardium or targeted to injured myocardial tissues for tissue regeneration.
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PMID:Targeting of Lin-Sca+ hematopoietic stem cells with bispecific antibodies to injured myocardium. 1475 18

The robust clinical activity of imatinib and trastuzumab for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and breast cancer has demonstrated that blocking pathogenic tyrosine kinases can alter the natural history of human tumors. On the other hand, EGF receptor inhibitors have shown overall modest activity. The contrast in the development of these agents implies that both molecular target dependence and patient selection are essential for the successful outcome of this process. We will contrast lessons derived from the development of inhibitors of Abl, c-Kit, HER2/neu (erbB2), and EGFR, highlight successes and limitations in the field, and propose new approaches for clinical development of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.
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PMID:Tyrosine kinase inhibitors: why does the current process of clinical development not apply to them? 1519 55

This review highlights three examples of novel targeted therapeutics for solid tumors that are currently approved in Japan: 1) Trastuzumab (Herceptin) for patients with metastatic breast cancer that demonstrates overexpression of HER2/neu; 2) Imatinib mesylate (Glivec) for patients with gastrointestinal tumors, of which tumor cells express c-Kit; and 3) Gefitini (Iressa) for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancers, which response to gefitinib is recently suggested to be associated with EGFR mutation. In these molecular targeted therapies, diagnostic tools to verify the presence of an appropriate molecular target is crucial to the success, and thus the methods and its interpretation are discussed in this review.
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PMID:[Molecular diagnosis of solid tumors]. 1577 42

Receptor and non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are essential enzymes in cellular signaling processes and signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth, differentiation, migration and metabolism by catalyzing protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. In recent years, different tyrosine kinase receptors were identified as regulators of tumor or tumor vessel growth. Their inhibition by specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antibodies targeting growth factors and their receptors were recently shown to constitute a new modality for treating cancers. The pathognomonic role of the inhibited tyrosine kinase defines the way of action, whereas the amount of expression in tumor tissue is thought to define the indication for the tumor entity. Various compounds targeting PTKs are under clinical investigation in phase I-III trials or are already approved. This review describes new drugs targeting BCR-Abl, c-kit, EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), tumor angiogenesis via VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), HER2/neu and "multitarget" tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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PMID:Receptor tyrosine kinases and anticancer therapy. 1585 62


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