Collectively, these data demonstrate functional activation of FAK1 in metastases and provide preclinical rationale for targeting this kinase in the setting of advanced ccRCC.
Our data provide the first functional evidence that the EphA2/FAK/RhoA signaling pathway plays a critical role in the malignant cellular behavior of RCC and appears to be functional particularly in the early stage of malignant progression of non-metastatic RCC.
Immunohistochemical staining was utilised to assess expression of Src kinase, dephosphorylated Src kinase at Y(530) (SrcY(530)), phosphorylated Src at Y(419) (SrcY(419)) and the downstream focal adhesion kinase (FAK) marker at the Y(861) site (FAK Y(861)) in a cohort of 57 clear cell renal cancer specimens.