Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2): Novel targets in EGFR-mutation positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: The activation of multiple signaling pathways jeopardizes the clinical efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in EGFR-mutation positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) regulates the interactions between tumor cells and extracellular environment to activate signaling pathways and promote cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is essential for receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation.

Methods: We analyzed tumor ILK, β-receptor subunit glycoprotein 130 (gp130), SHP2, and stromal hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in baseline tumor specimens of advanced EGFR-mutation positive NSCLC patients treated with EGFR TKIs.

Results: ILK, when highly expressed, was an independent poor prognostic factor for the progression-free survival of the patients, both in the univariate (hazard ratio [HR for disease progression, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.37-4.52; P = .0020]) and in the multivariate (HR 3.74; 95% CI, 1.33-10.56; P = .0126) Cox regression model. Patients with high SHP2 expression had an almost 13-month shorter progression-free survival (P = .0094) and an 18-month shorter overall survival (P = .0182) in comparison to those with low SHP2 mRNA expression.

Interpretation: The levels of ILK and SHP2 could be predictive for upfront combinatory therapy of EGFR TKIs plus SHP2 or ILK inhibitors. FUND: A grant from La Caixa Foundation, an Instituto de Salud Carlos III grant (RESPONSE, PIE16/00011), an Instituto de Salud Carlos III grant (PI14/01678), a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks European Grant (ELBA No 765492) and a Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) grant (PROYE18012ROSE).