Skip to main content
Quest Diagnostics

FISH, MET Amplification

Test code(s) 91283

The MET protein is a receptor kinase that stimulates tyrosine-kinase activity, as does EGFR. Stimulated tyrosine kinase leads to activation of signaling pathways associated with cell growth and survival. Thus, MET protein overexpression, MET proto-oncogene amplification, and MET exon 14 skipping mutation lead to tumor growth and progression and unfavorable prognosis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MET amplification is associated with acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with NSCLC and EGFR-activating mutations. Crizotinib (see NCCN guidelines) or other MET-targeted treatment may be considered in NSCLC cases with high-level MET amplification or MET exon 14 skipping mutation.1

MET mutations may coexist with other oncogene mutations (eg, KRAS, EGFR, BRAF, ALK). Similar to mutations in these other oncogenes, MET overexpression and/or amplification is associated with a more aggressive disease.

The MET (7q31) FISH dual-color probe set is hybridized with a control probe (D7Z1) to evaluate copy number gain in interphase cells from the lesion of interest.

Normal tissues should have an average of two MET signals and two control probe (D7Z1) signals. The over-representation of MET compared to the control is an indicator of copy number gain.

The scoring system is a combination of MET copy number per cell, MET/ D7Z1 ratio and percentage (%) of cells positive.

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and fresh tumor tissue can be tested.

The FISH assay determines the gene copy number (ie, MET amplification), while the IHC assay determines the level of gene expression (ie, MET overexpression). Although FISH and IHC results usually correlate with each other, NCCN guidelines recommends FISH testing only for MET amplification.

The most common alias is c-MET.

Possibly. The NCCN guidelines consider crizotinib an emerging therapy for NSCLCs with a high-level MET amplification or MET exon 14 skipping mutation.1 Additional MET inhibitors are under investigation.

References

  1. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Non-small cell lung cancer: NCCN Evidence Blocks™, V3.2017. NCCN.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/nscl_blocks.pdf. Published November 16, 2016. Accessed December 19, 2016.

 

This FAQ is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. A clinician’s test selection and interpretation, diagnosis, and patient management decisions should be based on his/her education, clinical expertise, and assessment of the patient.

Document FAQS.84 Version: 1
Version 1 effective 02/06/2017 to present
Version 0 effective 10/15/2012 to 02/06/2017

Our company

Quest® is the brand name used for services offered by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and its affiliated companies. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and certain affiliates are CLIA certified laboratories that provide HIPAA covered services.  Other affiliates operated under the Quest® brand, such as Quest Consumer Inc., do not provide HIPAA covered services. 

 

Quest®, Quest Diagnostics®, any associated logos, and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks—® and ™—are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Image content features models and is intended for illustrative purposes only.