Landscape of C-MET overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer: a large-scale study of clinicomolecular features and prognosis based on Chinese data

Background: Real-world data on C-MET protein overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, particularly among the Asian Chinese population, are limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinicomolecular characteristics and prognosis of C-MET overexpression in Chinese NSCLC patients, focusing on those with positive C-MET overexpression (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 3+). Design: A retrospective and observational study. Methods: Data were collected from NSCLC patients diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between November 2006 and April 2021. We identified C-MET overexpression using IHC and C-MET overexpression positivity was defined as IHC 3+ with ⩾50% tumor cells. Additionally, patient genotypes were collected for subgroup analysis. Results: Data from 9785 NSCLC patients were collected. C-MET (−) accounted for 5% (503/9785), C-MET (+) for 27% (2654/9785), C-MET (++) for 36% (3464/9785), and C-MET (+++) for 32% (3164/9785). Genetic testing was available for 4326 patients. Wild-type was observed in 37% (1591 cases), with epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) abnormalities being the most common at 49% (2127 cases). Positive C-MET overexpression correlated significantly with women ( p