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Boilève A, Verlingue L, Hollebecque A, Boige V, Ducreux M, Malka D. Rare cancer, rare alteration: the case of NTRK fusions in biliary tract cancers. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:401-409. [PMID: 33641556 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1896703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: For patients with advanced/unresectable biliary tract cancers, cisplatin-gemcitabine combination is the standard first-line treatment. Beyond the first line, the therapeutic arsenal is limited with minimal benefit. Biliary tract cancers exhibit one of the highest frequencies of targetable molecular alterations across cancer types, and several targeted therapies are emerging as treatment options.Areas covered:We discuss neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor gene (NTRK) fusions in biliary tract cancers and the use of NTRK inhibitors (now approved in a 'cancer-agnostic' way), mechanisms of resistance, and emerging second-generation NTRK inhibitors.Expert opinion: Despite their rarity in biliary tract cancers, NTRK fusions are promising molecular targets because i) NTRK inhibitors have proven highly effective in NTRK-rearranged cancers and are now approved in a 'cancer-agnostic' way; ii) emerging second-generation NTRK inhibitors may overcome secondary resistance; iii) NTRK rearrangements will be readily detectable with the generalization of next-generation-sequencing in biliary tract cancers, including the detection of other frequent gene rearrangements, such as those involving the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2). However, more data are necessary regarding the prevalence and characteristics of NTRK fusions in biliary tract cancers and the efficacy of NTRK inhibitors in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Boilève
- Département De Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, France
| | - Loïc Verlingue
- Université Paris-Saclay, France.,Département D'innovations Thérapeutiques Et D'essais Précoces, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Antoine Hollebecque
- Département De Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, France.,Département D'innovations Thérapeutiques Et D'essais Précoces, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Valérie Boige
- Département De Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, France
| | - Michel Ducreux
- Département De Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, France
| | - David Malka
- Département De Médecine Oncologique, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, France
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Amatu A, Sartore-Bianchi A, Bencardino K, Pizzutilo EG, Tosi F, Siena S. Tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) biology and the role of NTRK gene fusions in cancer. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:viii5-viii15. [PMID: 31738427 PMCID: PMC6859819 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases are encoded by NTRK genes and have a role in the development and normal functioning of the nervous system. Since the discovery of an oncogenic NTRK gene fusion in colorectal cancer in 1986, over 80 different fusion partner genes have been identified in a wide array of adult and paediatric tumours, providing actionable targets for targeted therapy. This review describes the normal function and physiology of TRK receptors and the biology behind NTRK gene fusions and how they act as oncogenic drivers in cancer. Finally, an overview of the incidence and prevalence of NTRK gene fusions in various types of cancers is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Amatu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan
| | - A Sartore-Bianchi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan
- Department of Oncology and Hemato- Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - K Bencardino
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan
| | - E G Pizzutilo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan
- Department of Oncology and Hemato- Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Tosi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan
- Department of Oncology and Hemato- Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - S Siena
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan
- Department of Oncology and Hemato- Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Oncogenic somatic chromosomal rearrangements involving the NTRK1, NTRK2 or NTRK3 genes (NTRK gene fusions) occur in up to 1% of all solid tumors, and have been reported across a wide range of tumor types. The fusion proteins encoded by such rearranged sequences have constitutively activated TRK tyrosine kinase domains, providing novel therapeutic anticancer targets. The potential clinical effectiveness of TRK inhibition in patients with tumors harboring NTRK gene fusions is being assessed in phase I and II trials of TRK inhibitors, such as larotrectinib and entrectinib. Clinical trial results have demonstrated that larotrectinib is generally well tolerated and has shown high response rates that are durable across tumor types. These data validate NTRK gene fusions as actionable genomic alterations. In this review, we present the clinical data, discuss the different approaches that might be used to routinely screen tumors to indicate the presence of NTRK gene fusions, explore the issue of acquired resistance to TRK inhibition, and reflect on the wider regulatory considerations for tumor site agnostic TRK inhibitor drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivaani Kummar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 780 Welch Road, Rm CJ250L, Palo Alto, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Ulrik N Lassen
- Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Schram AM, Chang MT, Jonsson P, Drilon A. Fusions in solid tumours: diagnostic strategies, targeted therapy, and acquired resistance. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2017; 14:735-748. [PMID: 28857077 PMCID: PMC10452928 DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2017.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Structural gene rearrangements resulting in gene fusions are frequent events in solid tumours. The identification of certain activating fusions can aid in the diagnosis and effective treatment of patients with tumours harbouring these alterations. Advances in the techniques used to identify fusions have enabled physicians to detect these alterations in the clinic. Targeted therapies directed at constitutively activated oncogenic tyrosine kinases have proven remarkably effective against cancers with fusions involving ALK, ROS1, or PDGFB, and the efficacy of this approach continues to be explored in malignancies with RET, NTRK1/2/3, FGFR1/2/3, and BRAF/CRAF fusions. Nevertheless, prolonged treatment with such tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leads to the development of acquired resistance to therapy. This resistance can be mediated by mutations that alter drug binding, or by the activation of bypass pathways. Second-generation and third-generation TKIs have been developed to overcome resistance, and have variable levels of activity against tumours harbouring individual mutations that confer resistance to first-generation TKIs. The rational sequential administration of different inhibitors is emerging as a new treatment paradigm for patients with tumours that retain continued dependency on the downstream kinase of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Schram
- Department of Medicine 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Matthew T Chang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Philip Jonsson
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Drilon
- Department of Medicine 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
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Passiglia F, Caparica R, Giovannetti E, Giallombardo M, Listi A, Diana P, Cirrincione G, Caglevic C, Raez LE, Russo A, Rolfo C. The potential of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase (NTRK) inhibitors for treating lung cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2016; 25:385-92. [PMID: 26881293 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2016.1152261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Molecular alterations in neurotrophic tyrosine kinase (NTRK) genes have been identified in several solid tumors including lung cancer. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggested their potential role as oncogenic drivers and predictive biomarkers for targeted inhibition, leading to the clinical development of a new class of compounds blocking the NTRK molecular pathway, which are currently undner early clinical investigation. AREA COVERED This review describes the biology of the NTRK pathway and its molecular alterations in lung cancer. It focuses on the pre-clinical and clinical development of emerging NTRK inhibitors, which have shown very promising activity in early phase I studies. EXPERT OPINION Among the several NTRK-inhibitors, entrectinib and LOXO-101 are those in more advanced stage of clinical development. Both agents have shown encouraging activity along with a tolerable safety profile in patients with different solid tumors harboring NTRK-fusions, emerging as new promising therapeutic options for molecularly selected patients with advanced Trk-driven lung cancers. Results from ongoing phase II basket trials are eagerly awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Passiglia
- a Department of Surgical, Oncology and Oral Sciences - Medical Oncology , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Rafael Caparica
- b Faculdade de Medicina da USP , Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo , São Paulo , Brasil
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- c Dept. Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA) , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Marco Giallombardo
- d Phase I-Early Clinical Trials Unit, Oncology Department , Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp University , Edegem , Antwerp , Belgium.,e Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnology, Biology and Genetics section , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Angela Listi
- a Department of Surgical, Oncology and Oral Sciences - Medical Oncology , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- f Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Department , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Girolamo Cirrincione
- f Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Department , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | | | - Luis E Raez
- h Thoracic Oncology Program, Memorial Cancer Institute, Memorial Health Care System, Florida International University , Miami , FL , USA
| | - Antonio Russo
- a Department of Surgical, Oncology and Oral Sciences - Medical Oncology , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Christian Rolfo
- d Phase I-Early Clinical Trials Unit, Oncology Department , Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp University , Edegem , Antwerp , Belgium
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