Dr. Bazhenova on Larotrectinib and Entrectinib in NTRK Fusion–Positive NSCLC

Lyudmila A. Bazhenova, MD, professor, clinical medicine, University of California, San Diego, discusses NTRK inhibition with larotrectinib (Vitrakvi) and entrectinib (Rozlytrek) in patients with NTRK fusion–positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Although NTRK fusions in lung cancer are rare, the 2 FDA-approved NTRK inhibitors in this population, entrectinib and larotrectinib, appear to be effective therapies, with response rates ranging from 70% to 80% and manageable toxicities, Bazhenova says. For patients who develop resistance to these NTRK inhibitors, a second-generation NTRK inhibitor, repotrectinib, is currently in development, with response rates as high as 62%, Bazhenova notes.

Accurately identifying patients who have NTRK fusion–positive lung cancer is an important first step in determining effective treatment, as these fusions could be overlooked during DNA next-generation sequencing. For patients with NTRK fusions, both entrectinib and larotrectinib are good treatment options, and physicians should choose whichever one they’re more comfortable using, Bazhenova concludes.