Identifification of a novel LDLR-RET Fusion in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Invest New Drugs. 2022 Aug;40(4):858-860. doi: 10.1007/s10637-022-01246-2. Epub 2022 May 7.

Abstract

Background: REarranged during Transfection (RET) gene fusion is one of the common oncogenic variants detectable in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The feature of most oncogenic RET gene fusion cases is that RET tyrosine kinase domain is retained in fusions and the partner gene includes a coiled-coil or LIS1 homology domain. However, only a few studies reported about the exceptional form of RET fusion in NSCLC so far.

Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed on resected cancerous tissue.

Results: A rare form of RET fusion was identified in a 45 year-old Chinese female patient, in which exon 1-4 of LDLR fused with exon 12-21 of RET. The result was validated by FISH.

Conclusions: This novel form of RET fusion in NSCLC is reported for the first time worldwide, offering a new treatment option for the patient with the possibility of using RET-selective inhibitors.

Keywords: LDLR-RET; Partner gene; RET fusion; REarranged during transfection; Therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Fusion
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / genetics

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • RET protein, human