HGF and c-Met in pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) regulates cell growth, motility, and morphogenesis of various types of cells via its receptor c-Met. In the growth of endometrium, HGF/c-Met signaling promotes the proliferation of both endometrial epithelial cells and stromal cells. In the onset and development of several cancers, HGF/c-Met signaling drives carcinogenesis and cancer invasion and metastasis. In endometrial carcinoma (EC), accounting for a majority of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women, the increased expression of HGF and c-Met signaling is associated with a poor prognosis of EC patients. Thus, we will discuss the role of HGF and c-Met in the EC pathogenesis in this review.