AI Article Synopsis

  • Fusions of NTRK genes with partner genes can create abnormal proteins that contribute to cancer development through constant activation of kinases.
  • Despite varying occurrences across tumor types, the presence of NTRK fusions in multiple cancers suggests potential for creating universal treatments targeting these fusions.
  • Larotrectinib, the first approved drug for treating NTRK fusion-positive cancers, provides a groundbreaking tumor-agnostic option, and expert guidelines have been established to help oncologists understand its use and NTRK fusion diagnostics in clinical practice.

Article Abstract

Fusions of NTRK (neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase) genes with 5' partner genes can result in the expression of chimeric proteins that drive oncogenesis through ligand-independent kinase activation. Despite variable frequencies of NTRK fusions in different tumor types, the fact that they are common to a wide range of cancers raises the possibility of developing tumor-agnostic treatments specifically targeting NTRK fusion products, irrespective of tumor type. The first-generation Trk (tropomyosin receptor kinase) inhibitor, larotrectinib, was the first tumor-agnostic treatment of NTRK fusion-positive cancers in adults and children, to be approved in the European Union. This consensus, developed by a Belgian multidisciplinary expert panel, aims to highlight the unmet medical need associated to NTRK fusion-driven cancer treatment and, based on current knowledge of NTRK fusions and larotrectinib treatment outcome and safety, provide comprehensive guidance to oncologists regarding NTRK fusion-driven cancer diagnostics and the best use of larotrectinib in real-world clinical settings.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103564DOI Listing

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