Abstract

<div>Abstract<p><b>Purpose:</b> This study investigated whether mutations of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genes detected using next-generation sequencing (NGS) are suitable therapeutic targets.</p><p><b>Experimental design:</b> Fifty surgically resected non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples were target resequenced using NGS. We then investigated the functions of the identified RTK gene mutations, including their oncogenic potential, <i>in vitro</i>.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Mutations in RTK genes were found in 20 samples (<i>EGFR</i>, 15; <i>ERBB4</i>, 1; <i>ALK</i>, 1; <i>DDR2</i>, 2; <i>FGFR1</i>, 1), mutations in MAPK pathway genes were found in nine samples (<i>KRAS</i>, 7; <i>NRAS</i>, 1; <i>BRAF</i>, 2), and mutations in PI3K pathway genes were found in three samples (<i>PIK3CA</i>, 1; <i>PTEN</i>, 3). Among the mutations in RTKs, the functions of four mutations were unclear (<i>ERBB4</i> D245G; <i>DDR2</i> H246R and E655K; <i>FGFR1</i> A263V). These mutations did not exhibit any transformational activities. Neither the phosphorylation nor the protein expressions of RTKs were changed by the <i>DDR2</i> H246R, <i>ERBB4</i> D245G, and <i>FGFR1</i> A263V mutations, although the expression level of the DDR2 protein harboring the E655K mutation was particularly low. Collagen stimulation decreased cellular proliferation through p38 activation in the <i>DDR2</i> wild-type–overexpressed cell lines, whereas the growth-suppressive effect was weakened in <i>DDR2</i> E655K–overexpressed cell lines. Furthermore, the <i>DDR2</i> E655K protein strongly bound to ubiquitin ligase E3 (Cbl-b), and the mutant protein expression was increased after treatment with a proteasome inhibitor.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> Our experimental findings suggest that RTK mutations are not always suitable as therapeutic targets. The <i>DDR2</i> E655K mutation can play a role in cancer progression by reducing the growth-inhibitory effect of collagen. <i>Clin Cancer Res; 22(14); 3663–71. ©2016 AACR</i>.</p></div>

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