Dr. Patel on the Role of Entrectinib in Gastrointestinal Malignancies

Manish R. Patel, DO, associate professor of medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, discusses the role of entrectinib (Rozlytrek) in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies.

At the 2020 ESMO World Congress on GI Cancer, findings from an updated integrated analysis of the STARTRK-1, STARTRK-2, and ALKA-372-001 studies evaluating entrectinib in NTRK fusion–positive GI cancers were presented.

Entrectinib is a pan-TRK, ROS1, and ALK inhibitor that received FDA approval in August 2019 for the treatment of patients with solid tumors that harbor an NTRK fusion, as well as for patients with ROS1-positive metastatic non–small cell lung cancer.

Additionally, entrectinib is a well-tolerated agent, says Patel.

While NTRK fusions are relatively uncommon in GI cancers, entrectinib could be an effective option for patients with these actionable alterations, concludes Patel.