Targeted therapy has shown to be a very effective treatment in tumors with specific genomic drivers. Trk has proven to be one such target. Efforts to target the Trk fusion with specific inhibitors have shown remarkable responses in a tumor agnostic fashion, with responses seen even in patients with intracranial metastasis. Entrectinib is a first-generation Trk inhibitor with impressive activity in early phase trials performed in patients with NTRK fusion positive solid tumors and ROS1 positive non-small-cell lung cancers with subsequent approval for those indications. Entrectinib was also found to be effective in treatment of brain metastasis and generally well tolerated.
Keywords: NTRK; brain metastasis; entrectinib; non-small-cell lung cancer.
Lay abstract Advances in medical science has allowed us to analyze genes within cancer cells and target abnormal genes more precisely. One such target is called NTRK, which carries genetic information and has been targeted using a medication called entrectinib. This medication is also very effective in patients with cancers that has spread to the brain. This medication can be used in any type of cancer if the cancer cells possess the abnormal DNA. Some of the side effects of entrectinib include weight gain, lightheadedness, throwing up, taste changes, swelling of legs, lack of energy and so on. Based on the benefit of entrectinib seen in clinical trials the medication was approved by the US FDA for treatment of any type of cancer with the NTRK problem. We hope that this new approach to cancer treatment will result in patients having greater benefit and live longer.