Efficacy and safety of pralsetinib in patients with advanced RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer

Cancer. 2023 Oct 15;129(20):3239-3251. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34897. Epub 2023 Jun 6.

Abstract

Background: Pralsetinib is a potent, selective RET inhibitor targeting oncogenic RET alterations. As part of the global, phase 1/2 ARROW trial (NCT03037385), the efficacy and safety of pralsetinib in Chinese patients with advanced RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated.

Methods: Adult patients with advanced, RET fusion-positive NSCLC with or without prior platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled into two cohorts receiving 400-mg once-daily oral pralsetinib. Primary end points were objective response rates assessed by blinded independent central review and safety.

Results: Of 68 patients enrolled, 37 had received prior platinum-based chemotherapy (48.6% with ≥3 prior systemic regimens) and 31 were treatment-naïve. As of March 4, 2022 (data cutoff), of the patients with measurable lesions at baseline, a confirmed objective response was observed in 22 (66.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 48.2-82.0) of 33 pretreated patients, including 1 (3.0%) complete response and 21 (63.6%) partial responses; and in 25 (83.3%; 95% CI, 65.3-94.4) of 30 treatment-naïve patients, including two (6.7%) complete responses and 23 (76.7%) partial responses. Median progression-free survival was 11.7 months (95% CI, 8.7-not estimable) in pretreated patients and 12.7 months (95% CI, 8.9-not estimable) in treatment-naïve patients. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events in 68 patients were anemia (35.3%) and decreased neutrophil count (33.8%). Eight (11.8%) patients discontinued pralsetinib because of treatment-related adverse events.

Conclusion: Pralsetinib showed robust and durable clinical activity with a well-tolerated safety profile in Chinese patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC.

Clinical trial registration: NCT03037385.

Keywords: Non-small cell lung cancer; Pralsetinib; RET fusion; RET inhibitor; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • pralsetinib
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RET protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03037385