c-MET Overexpression as a Poor Predictor of MET Amplifications or Exon 14 Mutations in Lung Sarcomatoid Carcinomas

Introduction MNNG HOS transforming gene (MET) abnormalities such as amplification and exon 14 mutations may be responsive to targeted therapies. They are prevalent in lung sarcomatoid carcinomas (LSCs) and must be diagnosed as efficiently as possible. Hypothetically, c-MET overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) may prove effective as a screening test for MET abnormalities. Methods Tissue samples were obtained from consecutive patients with a resected LSC in four oncologic centers. IHC was performed using the SP44 antibody (Ventana, Tucson, Arizona) and evaluated using the MetMab score and H-score. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was applied with the dual color probe set from Zytovision (Clinisciences, Nanterre, France). True MET amplification was diagnosed when MET gene copy number was 5 or greater and the ratio between MET gene copy number and chromosome 7 number was greater than 2. All MET exon 14 alterations including those affecting splice sites occurring within splice donor and acceptor sites were detected in the routine molecular testing on genetic platforms. Results A total of 81 LSCs were included. Fourteen (17%) exhibited positive IHC using the MetMab score and 15 (18.5%) using the H-score. MET amplification was detected in six tumors (8.5%) and MET exon 14 mutation in five (6%). A weak positive correlation between IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization was found (r = 0.27, p = 0.0001). IHC sensitivity for MET amplification was 50%, with a specificity of 83%, positive predictive value of 21.4%, and negative predictive value of 94.7%. IHC sensitivity for MET exon 14 mutations was 20%, with a specificity of 83%, positive predictive value of 7%, and negative predictive value of 94%. Conclusion IHC is not a relevant screening tool for MET abnormalities in LSC.