MET Testing

The method used for detecting MET aberrations in NSCLC depends on the type of aberration present

MET aberrations and their corresponding potential testing methods
c-Met Protein Expression1-3
MET Gene Amplification4-7
METex14 Skipping Mutations4,8,9
PROTEIN
EXPRESSION
c-Met overexpression icon
IHC
IHC1
Uses antibodies against tumor antigens to measure levels of protein
IHC1

Uses antibodies against tumor antigens to measure levels of protein

CHROMOSOMAL
ABNORMALITIES
MET Gene Amplification icon
FISH
FISH12
Utilizes fluorescent probes that bind to specific DNA sequences to identify chromosomal abnormalities
FISH12

Utilizes fluorescent probes that bind to specific DNA sequences to identify chromosomal abnormalities

VARIANT
DETECTION
METex14 and MET Gene icon
NGS
NGS9,10
High-throughput method used to determine the nucleotide sequence of entire genomes or a broad panel of target genes
METex14 and MET Gene icon
NGS9,10

High-throughput method used to determine the nucleotide sequence of entire genomes or a broad panel of target genes

VARIANT
DETECTION
METex14 and MET Gene icon
RT-PCR
RT-PCR11
Used to amplify specific targets and detect alternative variants that lead to exon skipping
METex14 and MET Gene icon
RT-PCR11

Used to amplify specific targets and detect alternative variants that lead to exon skipping

VARIANT
DETECTION
METex14 icon
Sanger Sequencing
Sanger Sequencing10
Determines the nucleotide sequence of DNA and is used when analyzing small regions of the DNA on a limited number of samples or genomic targets
Sanger Sequencing10

Determines the nucleotide sequence of DNA and is used when analyzing small regions of the DNA on a limited number of samples or genomic targets

ex14=exon 14; FISH=fluorescence in situ hybridization; IHC=immunohistochemistry; MET=mesenchymal-epithelial transition; NGS=next-generation sequencing; NSCLC=non-small cell lung cancer; RT-PCR=reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Explore IHC, FISH, and NGS detection methods
and view image galleries for each testing method
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Learn more about the testing
journey and its challenges
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References
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  2. Park S, Choi YL, Sung CO, et al. High MET copy number and MET overexpression: poor outcome in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Histol Histopathol. 2012;27(2):197-207. doi:10.14670/HH-27.197.
  3. Sun W, Song L, Ai T, et al. Prognostic value of MET, cyclin D1 and MET gene copy number in non-small cell lung cancer. J Biomed Res. 2013;27(3):220-230. doi:10.7555/JBR.27.20130004.
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  10. NGS vs. Sanger Sequencing. Illumina. Accessed August 10, 2023. https://www.illumina.com/science/technology/next-generation-sequencing/ngs-vs-sanger-sequencing.html.
  11. The basics: RT-PCR. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Accessed August 10, 2023. https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/references/ambion-tech-support/rtpcr-analysis/general-articles/rt--pcr-the-basics.html.
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  13. List of cleared or approved companion diagnostic devices. US Food and Drug Administration. Updated March 5, 2025. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/list-cleared-or-approved-companion-diagnostic-devices-in-vitro-and-imaging-tools.
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  20. H and E staining. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Accessed April 18, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/h-and-e-staining.
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  22. Images are provided on behalf of Roche Diagnostics.
  23. c-Met Oncology Fish. Labcorp. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/510890/c-met-oncology-fish.
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  28. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer V.3.2025. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Accessed March 31, 2025. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

MET amplification is an emerging biomarker and in clinical research as a potential therapeutic target. Some patients may have more than one MET aberration and may have overlap with other NSCLC biomarkers.