MET inhibitors
Oral selective inhibitors of the MET kinase for non-small cell lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping. Oedema is the hallmark effect.
What they are
Capmatinib and tepotinib treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping. Crizotinib (an ALK/ROS1 inhibitor) also blocks MET, and amivantamab targets MET from outside the cell.
Mechanism of action
MET is the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor. Exon 14 encodes the region that lets the cell tag MET for destruction; when it is skipped, MET piles up and signals constantly through RAS–MAPK and PI3K pathways. Selective MET inhibitors bind the ATP site and switch this signal off.
Target: MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) tyrosine kinase
Drugs in this class
- CapmatinibAn oral MET inhibitor for lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping. Watch for leg swelling, lung inflammation, liver…MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) tyrosine kinase
- TepotinibAn oral MET inhibitor taken with food for lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping. Oedema, lung inflammation and liver…MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) tyrosine kinase
Others in the class
- Savolitinib
- Crizotinib (also MET)
- Amivantamab (anti-EGFR/MET antibody)
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What does MET exon 14 skipping do to the receptor?
It removes the degradation signal, so MET accumulates and signals constantly.
What is the most common adverse effect of MET inhibitors?
Peripheral oedema.
Which two selective MET inhibitors have DurgiPedia pages?
Capmatinib and tepotinib.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); Capmatinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2022); Tepotinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2024).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.