Dr. Bazhenova on New Developments in RET-Rearranged NSCLC

Lyudmila A. Bazhenova, MD, medical oncologist, professor of clinical medicine, University of California, San Diego, discusses new developments in RET-rearranged non—small cell lung cancer.

New research indicates that RET oncogenic drivers are targetable, according to Bazhenova, who believes it is important for oncologists to test patients for RET. In the past, studies evaluated multiple multikinase inhibitors, that were used in other diseases. These inhibit RET as well as other kinases such as KIT and VEGF. Past experiences with those drugs were less than promising, according to Bazhenova, because there was significant off-target toxicity. Response rates ranged from 25% to 30% and progression-free survival (PFS) was at about 3 to 4 months.

However, now there is a new generation of RET inhibitors, BLU-667 and LOXO-292. The drugs are not yet approved, but look very strong in clinical trials, according to Bazhenova. They have responses ranging from 48% to 58% and even 68% in some studies, she explained. The responses are very durable and it appears to be well tolerated.

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