SU5416 is a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) and blocks HGF-induced invasiveness of human HepG2 hepatoma cells

Background/Aims SU5416 is a potent inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases, including those of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, stem cell factor receptor, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. Because of the overwhelming evidence favoring the role of aberrant hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Met signaling in the pathogenesis of various human cancers, various inhibitor strategies have been employed to therapeutically target this receptor. Methods Cell proliferation was determined by incorporation of [3H] thymidine. Invasiveness was assayed in Boyden Chambers with 8 μm Matrigel coated filters. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt by HGF stimulation was detected by Western blotting. Results We found that SU5416 inhibited motility scattering and the invasive activity of a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 in vitro and growth in primary cultured hepatocytes induced by HGF. Consequently, tyrosine autophosphorylation of the c-met induced by HGF was inhibited in these cells by SU5416 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation, the signaling events down-stream of c-met activation were reduced. Moreover, SU5416 caused reversion in NIH3T3 fibroblasts transformed by the oncogenic form of the receptor, Tpr-Met. Conclusions Inhibition of various solid tumors growth and metastasis by SU5416 may be partially attributed to blocking activation of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor.