The proto-oncogene c-kit is a receptor tyrosine kinase recognized to initiate essential signal transduction pathways that transmit biological signals for cellular proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis. Aberrant expression or mutation of c-kit has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers.
germline mutations
somatic mutations
overexpression in tumors
Diagnostic use
positive diagnosis of renal oncocytoma (71%) (#15105658#)
positive diagnosis of renal chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (88%) (#15105658#)
References
Druker BJ. STI571 (Gleevec) as a paradigm for cancer therapy. Trends Mol Med. 2002;8(4 Suppl):S14-8. PMID: #11927282#