Dr. Bazhenova on Prevalence of NTRK Mutations in NSCLC and Emerging Treatments

Lyudmila A. Bazhenova, MD, medical oncologist, professor of medicine, University of California, San Diego, discusses the prevalence of NTRK mutations in non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and what emerging therapeutic strategies are for these patients.

NTRK mutations are generally rare in solid tumors, with an overall prevalence of 1% to 2%. However, it is more common in head and neck cancer and is also present in sarcomas and thyroid cancer, Bazhenova says. Overall, the mutations are rare but there are drugs in development that are very active. It is imperative that oncologists test all of their patients for NTRK mutations, she adds.

Currently, entrectinib and larotrectinib are the two agents in development that have shown remarkable efficacy and durable responses. Both drugs also demonstrate good tolerability and acceptable safety profiles as well, Bazhenova says. In May 2018, the FDA granted larotrectinib a priority review designation to a new drug application for larotrectinib for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors with an NTRK gene fusion.

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