Image Number 15 for United States Patent #5871959.
A method of preventing tumor cell metastasis by inhibiting the binding of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor ("HGF/SF") with met proto-oncogene protein is described. A method of producing HGF/SF and a cell line for the production of HGF/SF are also described. The met proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase receptor (Met) and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), ordinarily constitute a paracrine signalling system in which cells of mesenchymal origin produce the ligand, which binds to the receptor that is predominantly expressed in cells of epithelial origin. The method of the present invention disrupts the Met-HGF/SF autocrine signaling that contributes to the tumorigenic process in tumors of mesenchymal origin, such as sarcomas.
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