1
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Ou X, Gao G, Habaz IA, Wang Y. Mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor-targeted therapy and overcoming strategies. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e694. [PMID: 39184861 PMCID: PMC11344283 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-targeted therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by selectively blocking specific signaling pathways crucial for tumor growth, offering improved outcomes with fewer side effects compared with conventional chemotherapy. However, despite their initial effectiveness, resistance to TKIs remains a significant challenge in clinical practice. Understanding the mechanisms underlying TKI resistance is paramount for improving patient outcomes and developing more effective treatment strategies. In this review, we explored various mechanisms contributing to TKI resistance, including on-target mechanisms and off-target mechanisms, as well as changes in the tumor histology and tumor microenvironment (intrinsic mechanisms). Additionally, we summarized current therapeutic approaches aiming at circumventing TKI resistance, including the development of next-generation TKIs and combination therapies. We also discussed emerging strategies such as the use of dual-targeted antibodies and PROteolysis Targeting Chimeras. Furthermore, we explored future directions in TKI-targeted therapy, including the methods for detecting and monitoring drug resistance during treatment, identification of novel targets, exploration of dual-acting kinase inhibitors, application of nanotechnologies in targeted therapy, and so on. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in TKI-targeted therapy, aiming to advance our understanding of resistance mechanisms and guide the development of more effective therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejin Ou
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ge Gao
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Clinical Trial Center, National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drugs, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Inbar A. Habaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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2
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Qian C, Li X, Zhang J, Wang Y. Small Molecular Inhibitors That Target ATM for Drug Discovery: Current Research and Potential Prospective. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39149790 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a constituent of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family, exerting a pivotal influence on diverse cellular processes, notably the signaling of double-strand DNA breaks (DSB) and stress response. The dysregulation of ATM is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases such as neurodegeneration. Hence, ATM is deemed a promising candidate for potential therapeutic interventions across a spectrum of diseases. Presently, while ATM small molecule inhibitors are not commercially available, various selective inhibitors have progressed to the clinical research phase. Specifically, AZD1390, WSD0628, SYH2051, and ZN-B-2262 are under investigation in clinical studies pertaining to glioblastoma multiforme and advanced solid tumors, respectively. In this Perspective, we encapsulate the structure, biological functions, and disease relevance of ATM. Subsequently, we concentrate on the design concepts and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of ATM inhibitors, delineating potential avenues for the development of more efficacious ATM-targeted inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlin Qian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory and Institute of Respiratory Health and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan China
| | - Xiaoxue Li
- Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory and Institute of Respiratory Health and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan China
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory and Institute of Respiratory Health and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity and Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan China
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan China
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3
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Zhou Y, Kang J, Lu X. Targeting Solvent-Front Mutations for Kinase Drug Discovery: From Structural Basis to Design Strategies. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39143914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Solvent-front mutations have emerged as a common mechanism leading to acquired resistance to kinase inhibitors, representing a major challenge in the clinic. Several new-generation kinase inhibitors targeting solvent-front mutations have either been approved or advanced to clinical trials. However, there remains a need to discover effective, new-generation inhibitors. In this Perspective, we systematically summarize the general types of solvent-front mutations across the kinome and describe the development of inhibitors targeting some key solvent-front mutations. Additionally, we highlight the challenges and opportunities for the next generation of kinase inhibitors directed toward overcoming solvent-front mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jibo Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaoyun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 510632, China
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4
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Srikakolapu S, Sahni DR, Madigan LM. Unique hypersensitivity syndrome secondary to selpercatinib. JAAD Case Rep 2024; 50:138-140. [PMID: 39148638 PMCID: PMC11326512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dev R Sahni
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren M Madigan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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5
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Shiba-Ishii A, Isagawa T, Shiozawa T, Mato N, Nakagawa T, Takada Y, Hirai K, Hong J, Saitoh A, Takeda N, Niki T, Murakami Y, Matsubara D. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting bypass pathways and mitochondrial dysfunction to combat resistance to RET inhibitors in NSCLC. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167249. [PMID: 38768929 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
RET fusion is an oncogenic driver in 1-2 % of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although RET-positive tumors have been treated with multikinase inhibitors such as vandetanib or RET-selective inhibitors, ultimately resistance to them develops. Here we established vandetanib resistance (VR) clones from LC-2/ad cells harboring CCDC6-RET fusion and explored the molecular mechanism of the resistance. Each VR clone had a distinct phenotype, implying they had acquired resistance via different mechanisms. Consistently, whole exome-seq and RNA-seq revealed that the VR clones had unique mutational signatures and expression profiles, and shared only a few common remarkable events. AXL and IGF-1R were activated as bypass pathway in different VR clones, and sensitive to a combination of RET and AXL inhibitors or IGF-1R inhibitors, respectively. SMARCA4 loss was also found in a particular VR clone and 55 % of post-TKI lung tumor tissues, being correlated with higher sensitivity to SMARCA4/SMARCA2 dual inhibition and shorter PFS after subsequent treatments. Finally, we detected an increased number of damaged mitochondria in one VR clone, which conferred sensitivity to mitochondrial electron transfer chain inhibitors. Increased mitochondria were also observed in post-TKI biopsy specimens in 13/20 cases of NSCLC, suggesting a potential strategy targeting mitochondria to treat resistant tumors. Our data propose new promising therapeutic options to combat resistance to RET inhibitors in NSCLC.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret/metabolism
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Mitochondria/drug effects
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Quinazolines/pharmacology
- Quinazolines/therapeutic use
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/antagonists & inhibitors
- DNA Helicases/genetics
- DNA Helicases/metabolism
- DNA Helicases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cytoskeletal Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Shiba-Ishii
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takayuki Isagawa
- Center for Data Science, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Shiozawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoko Mato
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakagawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yurika Takada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kanon Hirai
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jeongmin Hong
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anri Saitoh
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiko Takeda
- Division of Cardiology and Metabolism, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Toshiro Niki
- Department of Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Murakami
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsubara
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
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6
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Chen MF, Repetto M, Wilhelm C, Drilon A. RET Inhibitors in RET Fusion-Positive Lung Cancers: Past, Present, and Future. Drugs 2024:10.1007/s40265-024-02040-5. [PMID: 38997570 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-024-02040-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
While activating RET fusions are identified in various cancers, lung cancer represents the most common RET fusion-positive tumor. The clinical drug development of RET inhibitors in RET fusion-positive lung cancers naturally began after RET fusions were first identified in patient tumor samples in 2011, and thereafter paralleled drug development in RET fusion-positive thyroid cancers. Multikinase inhibitors were initially tested with limited efficacy and substantial toxicity. RET inhibitors were then designed with improved selectivity, central nervous system penetrance, and activity against RET fusions and most RET mutations, including resistance mutations. Owing their success to these rationally designed features, the first-generation selective RET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) had higher response rates, more durable disease control, and an improved safety profile compared to the multikinase inhibitors. This led to lung and thyroid cancer, and later tumor-agnostic regulatory approvals. While next-generation RET TKIs were designed to abrogate uncommon on-target (e.g., solvent front mutation) resistance to selpercatinib and pralsetinib, many of these drugs lacked the selectivity of the first-generation TKIs, raising the question of what the future holds for drug development in RET-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica F Chen
- Thoracic Oncology, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Early Drug Development Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matteo Repetto
- Early Drug Development Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Clare Wilhelm
- Thoracic Oncology, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Early Drug Development Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Drilon
- Thoracic Oncology, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Early Drug Development Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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7
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Li S, Liu Z, Jiao X, Gu J, Liu Z, Meng L, Li W, Zhang T, Liu J, Chai D, Liu J, Yang Z, Liu Y, Jiao R, Li X, Zhou H, Zhang Y. Selpercatinib attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116282. [PMID: 38762147 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
IPF is a chronic, progressive, interstitial lung disease with high mortality. Current drugs have limited efficacy in curbing disease progression and improving quality of life. Selpercatinib, a highly selective inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinase RET (rearranged during transfection), was approved in 2020 for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors with RET mutations. In this study, the action and mechanism of Selpercatinib in pulmonary fibrosis were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Selpercatinib significantly ameliorated bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. In vitro, Selpercatinib inhibited the proliferation, migration, activation and extracellular matrix deposition of fibroblasts by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/non-Smad pathway, and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) like process of lung epithelial cells via inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad pathway. The results of in vivo pharmacological tests corroborated the results obtained from the in vitro experiments. Further studies revealed that Selpercatinib inhibited abnormal phenotypes of lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells in part by regulating its target RET. In short, Selpercatinib inhibited the activation of fibroblasts and EMT-like process of lung epithelial cells by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/non-Smad pathways, thus alleviating BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Zhichao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Xiaodan Jiao
- The Second Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Jinying Gu
- Tianjin Jikun Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin 301700, China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Lingxin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Wenqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Dan Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Jiaai Liu
- The Second Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Zhongyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Yuming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Ran Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Xiaohe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China.
| | - Honggang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China.
| | - Yanping Zhang
- The Second Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China.
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8
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Brandenburg T, Kroiß M. [Thyroid carcinomas: the role of systemic therapies in internal medicine]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 65:642-655. [PMID: 38900279 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-024-01728-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of thyroid carcinoma is well studied and of importance for the treatment of advanced stages. Differentiated, poorly differentiated and anaplastic carcinomas originate in the follicular cells, while medullary carcinomas derive from the C‑cells. The prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma is generally very favourable after surgery and radioiodine therapy. Where tumours progress and lose the ability to enrich iodine, curative treatment is usually not possible. A strategy of watchful waiting is often appropriate. Activating mutations in BRAF or gene fusions of RET and NTRK provide opportunities for targeted therapies. These may be applied with the aim of restoring iodine uptake (redifferentiation). In the absence of molecular therapy targets, multityrosine kinase inhibitors (MKI) are the therapy of choice. If anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is suspected, rapid diagnostic workup including molecular pathology is warranted. Surgery where possible and radiochemotherapy are essential components of therapy. In the presence of a BRAF mutation, inhibition of BRAF and MEK is effective, even if it is not approved in Germany. Where molecular targets are lacking, combination therapy with the MKI lenvatinib and immune checkpoint inhibition is highly effective. Mutations in RET are present in the vast majority of cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma. In aggressive advanced disease, selective RET inhibition has recently been approved as first-line therapy and often leads to an objective response and long-lasting disease stabilisation. In summary, thyroid carcinomas are among the tumour entities for which molecularly targeted therapies can be used most frequently. The involvement of specialised centres is advisable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Brandenburg
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
- Endokrines Tumorzentrum am Westdeutschen Tumorzentrum (WTZ), Universitätsklinikum Essen, Member of Endo-ERN and EURACAN, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg-Essen, Deutschland.
| | - Matthias Kroiß
- Medizinische Klinik IV, Universitätsklinikum, Member of Endo-ERN and EURACAN, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, München, Deutschland.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Deutschland.
- Bayerisches Zentrum für Krebsforschung, München, Deutschland.
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9
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Hernando-Calvo A, Rossi A, Vieito M, Voest E, Garralda E. Agnostic drug development revisited. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 128:102747. [PMID: 38763053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The advent of molecular profiling and the generalization of next generation sequencing in oncology has enabled the identification of patients who could benefit from targeted agents. Since the tumor-agnostic approval of pembrolizumab for patients with MSI-High tumors in 2017, different molecularly-guided therapeutics have been awarded approvals and progressively incorporated in the treatment landscape across multiple tumor types. As the number of tumor-agnostic targets considered druggable expands in the clinic, novel challenges will reshape the drug development field involving all the stakeholders in oncology. In this review, we provide an overview of current tumor-agnostic approvals and discuss promising candidate therapeutics for tumor-agnostic designation and challenges for their broad implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Hernando-Calvo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d́Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alice Rossi
- Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Vieito
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d́Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emile Voest
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Garralda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d́Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Vall d́Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.
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10
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Papachristos AJ, Serrao-Brown H, Gill AJ, Clifton-Bligh R, Sidhu SB. Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Molecular Drivers and Immune Cellular Milieu of the Tumour Microenvironment-Implications for Systemic Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2296. [PMID: 39001359 PMCID: PMC11240419 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we explore the underlying molecular biology of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and its interplay with the host immune system. MTC is consistently driven by a small number of specific pathogenic variants, beyond which few additional genetic events are required for tumorigenesis. This explains the exceedingly low tumour mutational burden seen in most MTC, in contrast to other cancers. However, because of the low tumour mutational burden (TMB), there is a correspondingly low level of tumour-associated neoantigens that are presented to the host immune system. This reduces tumour visibility and vigour of the anti-tumour immune response and suggests the efficacy of immunotherapy in MTC is likely to be poor, acknowledging this inference is largely based on the extrapolation of data from other tumour types. The dominance of specific RET (REarranged during Transfection) pathogenic variants in MTC tumorigenesis rationalizes the observed efficacy of the targeted RET-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in comparison to multi-kinase inhibitors (MKIs). Therapeutic durability of pathway inhibitors is an ongoing research focus. It may be limited by the selection pressure TKI treatment creates, promoting survival of resistant tumour cell clones that can escape pathway inhibition through binding-site mutations, activation of alternate pathways, and modulation of the cellular and cytokine milieu of the tumour microenvironment (TME).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Papachristos
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Hazel Serrao-Brown
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Roderick Clifton-Bligh
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Stanley B Sidhu
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
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11
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Gigliotti BJ, Brooks JA, Wirth LJ. Fundamentals and recent advances in the evaluation and management of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 592:112295. [PMID: 38871174 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare primary neuroendocrine thyroid carcinoma that is distinct from other thyroid or neuroendocrine cancers. Most cases of MTC are sporadic, although MTC exhibits a high degree of heritability as part of the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes. REarranged during Transfection (RET) mutations are the primary oncogenic drivers and advances in molecular profiling have revealed that MTC is enriched in druggable alterations. Surgery at an early stage is the only chance for cure, but many patients present with or develop metastases. C-cell-specific calcitonin trajectory and structural doubling times are critical biomarkers to inform prognosis, extent of surgery, likelihood of residual disease, and need for additional therapy. Recent advances in the role of active surveillance, regionally directed therapies for localized disease, and systemic therapy with multi-kinase and RET-specific inhibitors for progressive/metastatic disease have significantly improved outcomes for patients with MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer A Brooks
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Lori J Wirth
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Qiu T, Kong Y, Wei G, Sun K, Wang R, Wang Y, Chen Y, Wang W, Zhang Y, Jiang C, Yang P, Xie T, Chen X. CCDC6-RET fusion protein regulates Ras/MAPK signaling through the fusion- GRB2-SHC1 signal niche. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322359121. [PMID: 38805286 PMCID: PMC11161787 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322359121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) rearrangement oncoprotein-mediated Ras/MAPK signaling cascade is constitutively activated in cancers. Here, we demonstrate a unique signal niche. The niche is a ternary complex based on the chimeric RET liquid-liquid phase separation. The complex comprises the rearranged kinase (RET fusion); the adaptor (GRB2), and the effector (SHC1). Together, they orchestrate the Ras/MAPK signal cascade, which is dependent on tyrosine kinase. CCDC6-RET fusion undergoes LLPS requiring its kinase domain and its fusion partner. The CCDC6-RET fusion LLPS promotes the autophosphorylation of RET fusion, with enhanced kinase activity, which is necessary for the formation of the signaling niche. Within the signal niche, the interactions among the constituent components are reinforced, and the signal transduction efficiency is amplified. The specific RET fusion-related signal niche elucidates the mechanism of the constitutive activation of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. Beyond just focusing on RET fusion itself, exploration of the ternary complex potentially unveils a promising avenue for devising therapeutic strategies aimed at treating RET fusion-driven diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yichao Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Kai Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yiji Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Wenxin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou310024, China
| | - Caihong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Peiguo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou310024, China
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
| | - Xiabin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang311121, China
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13
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Pitoia F, Trimboli P, Abelleira E. Primary resistance to selpercatinib in a patient with advanced medullary thyroid cancer. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-03890-5. [PMID: 38801596 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03890-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Selpercatinib, a selective RET kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating patients with advanced medullary (MTC) and differentiated thyroid cancer with RET alterations. Primary resistance to selpercatinib is a very uncommon situation, and its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report the case of a 42-year-old female with advanced MTC harboring a somatic M918T RET mutation who exhibited a primary resistance to selpercatinib. Despite prompt treatment initiation after the diagnosis of progressive disease, the patient continued experiencing rapid spread of disease, characterized by the appearance of new metastatic lesions and increased tumor burden. Genomic analysis revealed no additional mutations associated with on-target or off-target resistance. This case highlights a rare clinical scenario of primary resistance to selpercatinib in advanced MTC. While secondary resistance mechanisms have been well-documented, primary resistance remains poorly understood. Possible explanations include tumor heterogeneity and activation of alternative signaling pathways that stills need to be elucidated. Emerging therapies targeting resistance mechanisms and next-generation RET inhibitors offer promising avenues for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Pitoia
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Servizio di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
- Facoltà di Scienze Biomediche, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Erika Abelleira
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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14
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Lee ATM, Ou SHI. LIBRETTO-431: Confirming the Superiority of Selpercatinib to Chemotherapy and the Lack of Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced RET Fusion-Positive ( RET+) NSCLC, Another Unique Never-Smoker Predominant Molecular Subtype of NSCLC. LUNG CANCER (AUCKLAND, N.Z.) 2024; 15:75-80. [PMID: 38807655 PMCID: PMC11130712 DOI: 10.2147/lctt.s460147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Selpercatinib, a potent and highly selective RET kinase inhibitor with significant CNS activity, has recently gained US approval for the treatment of NSCLC harboring RET fusions (RET+) based on a large-scale single-arm study. The LIBRETTO-431 trial was the global pivotal registration phase 3 trial comparing selpercatinib to platinum-based chemotherapy with or without pembrolizumab as the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RET+ NSCLC. Never-smokers constituted 67.4% of the RET+ NSCLC patients enrolled. KIF5B-RET made up the vast majority (77%) of the RET+ fusion variant with known fusion partner. The results of this study demonstrated significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) benefit as well as impressive intracranial disease response in participants treated with selpercatinib as compared to those treated with chemotherapy, with a HR [hazard ratio] of 0.46 (95% CI 0.33-0.70; P < 0.001) for the intention-to-treat (ITT)-pembrolizumab group and HR of 0.46 (95% CI 0.31-0.70, P < 0.001) for the overall ITT-group of patients. The addition of pembrolizumab to platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy resulted in numerically identical PFS (11.2 months). These results point to selpercatinib's superiority to traditional chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of NSCLC harboring RET fusions and add to literature on the salience of targeted precision oncology and lack of efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor in NSCLC patients with never-smoker predominant actionable driver mutations. RET+ NSCLC should be added to the list of molecular subtypes (EGFR+, ALK+, ROS1+) of NSCLC to be excluded in chemoimmunotherapy trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria T M Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, 92868, USA
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15
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Gou Q, Gou Q, Gan X, Xie Y. Novel therapeutic strategies for rare mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10317. [PMID: 38705930 PMCID: PMC11070427 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61087-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Over the past two decades, the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has undergone a significant revolution. Since the first identification of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in 2004, several genetic aberrations, such as anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements (ALK), neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET), have been found. With the development of gene sequencing technology, the development of targeted drugs for rare mutations, such as multikinase inhibitors, has provided new strategies for treating lung cancer patients with rare mutations. Patients who harbor this type of oncologic driver might acquire a greater survival benefit from the use of targeted therapy than from the use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. To date, more new agents and regimens can achieve satisfactory results in patients with NSCLC. In this review, we focus on recent advances and highlight the new approval of molecular targeted therapy for NSCLC patients with rare oncologic drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qitao Gou
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Head & Neck Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiheng Gou
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Head & Neck Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiaochuan Gan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuxin Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Hamidi S, Hu MI. RET kinase inhibitors for the treatment of RET-altered thyroid cancers: Current knowledge and future directions. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2024; 85:118-126. [PMID: 38342224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
RET gain-of-function mutations are the most common drivers in medullary thyroid carcinoma, while RET fusions are identified in 5-10% of papillary thyroid carcinomas. Thus, RET plays a major role in the tumorigenesis of thyroid neoplasia, making it a valuable therapeutic target. Over a decade ago, multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) were first shown to have variable degrees of anti-RET activity. Despite some clinical efficacy in RET-altered thyroid cancers, significant off-target activity of MKIs led to marked toxicities limiting their use. More recently, two potent, highly selective RET inhibitors, selpercatinib and pralsetinib, were shown to have notable efficacy in RET-altered cancers, associated with more tolerable side effect profiles than those of MKIs. However, these treatments are non-curative, and emerging evidence suggests that patients who progress on therapy acquire mutations conferring drug resistance. Thus, the quest for a more definitive treatment for advanced, RET-altered thyroid cancers continues. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the association of germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene with the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 syndromes. In this timely review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art treatment strategies for RET-altered thyroid cancers, their limitations, as well as future therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hamidi
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Mimi I Hu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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17
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Nishikawa G, Klein MA. Targeting RET alterations in non-small cell lung cancer. Curr Probl Cancer 2024; 49:101074. [PMID: 38494387 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2024.101074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) alterations, which lead to aberrant activation of the RET proto-oncogene, have been identified in various cancers. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), RET mutations often manifest as RET fusion genes and are observed in 1-2 % of patients with NSCLC. In recent years, selective RET inhibitors such as selpercatinib and pralsetinib, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020, have been part of the revolutionary changes in the treatment landscape for non-small cell lung cancer. While first-generation RET inhibitors have become part of the standard of care for RET-fusion positive NSCLC, a new challenge has emerged: acquired resistance to RET inhibitors. RET resistance is a complex phenomenon that can manifest as either on-target or off-target resistance. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the mechanisms behind this resistance. This review provides an overview of the biology of RET in NSCLC, methods of RET testing, and a comprehensive analysis of the clinical outcomes associated with multikinase and selective RET inhibitors for NSCLC. Additionally, we will explore future perspectives for RET fusion-positive NSCLC, including ongoing trials and the challenges involved in overcoming resistance to RET inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Nishikawa
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark A Klein
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Hematology/Oncology Section, Primary Care Service Line, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Subbiah V, Gouda MA, Iorgulescu JB, Dadu R, Patel K, Sherman S, Cabanillas M, Hu M, Castellanos LE, Amini B, Meric-Bernstam F, Shen T, Wu J. Adaptive Darwinian off-target resistance mechanisms to selective RET inhibition in RET driven cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:62. [PMID: 38438731 PMCID: PMC10912412 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients treated with RET protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) selpercatinib or pralsetinib develop RET TKI resistance by secondary RET mutations or alterative oncogenes, of which alterative oncogenes pose a greater challenge for disease management because of multiple potential mechanisms and the unclear tolerability of drug combinations. A patient with metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) harboring a RET activation loop D898_E901del mutation was treated with selpercatinib. Molecular alterations were monitored with tissue biopsies and cfDNA during the treatment. The selpercatinib-responsive MTC progressed with an acquired ETV6::NTRK3 fusion, which was controlled by selpercatinib plus the NTRK inhibitor larotrectinib. Subsequently, tumor progressed with an acquired EML4::ALK fusion. Combination of selpercatinib with the dual NTRK/ALK inhibitor entrectinib reduced the tumor burden, which was followed by appearance of NTRK3 solvent-front G623R mutation. Preclinical experiments validated selpercatinib plus larotrectinib or entrectinib inhibited RET/NTRK3 dependent cells, whereas selpercatinib plus entrectinib was necessary to inhibit cells with RET/NTRK3/ALK triple alterations or a mixture of cell population carrying these genetic alterations. Thus, RET-altered MTC adapted to selpercatinib and larotrectinib with acquisition of ETV6::NTRK3 and EML4::ALK oncogenes can be managed by combination of selpercatinib and entrectinib providing proof-of-concept of urgency of incorporating molecular profiling in real-time and personalized N-of-1 care transcending one-size-fits-all approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Subbiah
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Mohamed A Gouda
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Bryan Iorgulescu
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ramona Dadu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keyur Patel
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven Sherman
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mimi Hu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luz E Castellanos
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Behrang Amini
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tao Shen
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Friedlaender A, Perol M, Banna GL, Parikh K, Addeo A. Oncogenic alterations in advanced NSCLC: a molecular super-highway. Biomark Res 2024; 12:24. [PMID: 38347643 PMCID: PMC10863183 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer ranks among the most common cancers world-wide and is the first cancer-related cause of death. The classification of lung cancer has evolved tremendously over the past two decades. Today, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly lung adenocarcinoma, comprises a multitude of molecular oncogenic subsets that change both the prognosis and management of disease.Since the first targeted oncogenic alteration identified in 2004, with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), there has been unprecedented progress in identifying and targeting new molecular alterations. Almost two decades of experience have allowed scientists to elucidate the biological function of oncogenic drivers and understand and often overcome the molecular basis of acquired resistance mechanisms. Today, targetable molecular alterations are identified in approximately 60% of lung adenocarcinoma patients in Western populations and 80% among Asian populations. Oncogenic drivers are largely enriched among non-smokers, east Asians, and younger patients, though each alteration has its own patient phenotype.The current landscape of druggable molecular targets includes EGFR, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1), Kirstin rat sarcoma virus (KRAS), human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2), c-MET proto-oncogene (MET), neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK), rearranged during transfection (RET), neuregulin 1 (NRG1). In addition to these known targets, others including Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) have garnered significant attention and are the subject of numerous ongoing trials.In this era of personalized, precision medicine, it is of paramount importance to identify known or potential oncogenic drivers in each patient. The development of targeted therapy is mirrored by diagnostic progress. Next generation sequencing offers high-throughput, speed and breadth to identify molecular alterations in entire genomes or targeted regions of DNA or RNA. It is the basis for the identification of the majority of current druggable alterations and offers a unique window into novel alterations, and de novo and acquired resistance mechanisms.In this review, we discuss the diagnostic approach in advanced NSCLC, focusing on current oncogenic driver alterations, through their pathophysiology, management, and future perspectives. We also explore the shortcomings and hurdles encountered in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Friedlaender
- Clinique Générale Beaulieu, Geneva, Switzerland
- Oncology Department, University Hospital Geneva, Rue Gentil Perret 4. 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurice Perol
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Giuseppe Luigi Banna
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK
- Faculty of Science and Health, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | | | - Alfredo Addeo
- Oncology Department, University Hospital Geneva, Rue Gentil Perret 4. 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.
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20
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Barzi A, Weipert CM, Espenschied CR, Raymond VM, Wang-Gillam A, Nezami MA, Gordon EJ, Mahadevan D, Mody K. ERBB2 (HER2) amplifications and co-occurring KRAS alterations in the circulating cell-free DNA of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients and response to HER2 inhibition. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1339302. [PMID: 38406801 PMCID: PMC10885695 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1339302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Despite accumulating data regarding the genomic landscape of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), olaparib is the only biomarker-driven FDA-approved targeted therapy with a PDAC-specific approval. Treating ERBB2(HER2)-amplified PDAC with anti-HER2 therapy has been reported with mixed results. Most pancreatic adenocarcinomas have KRAS alterations, which have been shown to be a marker of resistance to HER2-targeted therapies in other malignancies, though the impact of these alterations in pancreatic cancer is unknown. We describe two cases of ERBB2-amplified pancreatic cancer patients treated with anti-HER2 therapy and provide data on the frequency of ERBB2 amplifications and KRAS alterations identified by clinical circulating cell-free DNA testing. Methods De-identified molecular test results for all patients with pancreatic cancer who received clinical cell-free circulating DNA analysis (Guardant360) between 06/2014 and 01/2018 were analyzed. Cell-free circulating DNA analysis included next-generation sequencing of up to 73 genes, including select small insertion/deletions, copy number amplifications, and fusions. Results Of 1,791 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 36 (2.0%) had an ERBB2 amplification, 26 (72.2%) of whom had a KRAS alteration. Treatment data were available for seven patients. Two were treated with anti-HER2 therapy after their cell-free circulating DNA result, with both benefiting from therapy, including one with a durable response to trastuzumab and no KRAS alteration detected until progression. Conclusion Our case series illustrates that certain patients with ERBB2-amplified pancreatic adenocarcinoma may respond to anti-HER2 therapy and gain several months of prolonged survival. Our data suggests KRAS mutations as a possible mechanism of primary and acquired resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in pancreatic cancer. Additional studies are needed to clarify the role of KRAS in resistance to anti-HER2 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Barzi
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Division of Oncology, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | | | - Eva J. Gordon
- Private Health Management, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Daruka Mahadevan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kabir Mody
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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21
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Wan R, Li W, Wang Z, Zhong J, Lin L, Duan J, Wang J. Real-world outcomes of chemoimmunotherapy and selective RET inhibitors in Chinese patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24796. [PMID: 38304763 PMCID: PMC10831772 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rearranged during transfection (RET) gene fusion is a target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, and RET inhibitors are approved for advanced NSCLC. The role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in RET fusion-positive NSCLC remains controversial. This retrospective study analyzed the efficacy of ICIs and RET inhibitors in Chinese patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC. Methods Data from patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC harboring RET fusion from Jan 2017 to Sep 2021 were analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of ICIs and RET inhibitors treatments were collected. Results Seventy-five patients with RET fusion-positive advanced NSCLC were identified. The median age of patients was 57 years, half of the patients were female (50.3%), and most were non-smokers or light smokers (72%). Of the cancer types diagnosed in study patients, the KIF5B-RET fusion subtype accounted for 73.3% (55/75), twelve patients (16%) had CCDC6-RET fusion, and three (4%) had NCOA4-RET fusion. Sixteen patients were treated with ICIs. In previously untreated patients, we observed an objective response rate (ORR) of 71.4% and median progression free survival (PFS) of 7.5 months in seven assessable patients. Of four patients with PD-L1 overexpression (>50%) one received pembrolizumab and the other three patients received pemetrexed, carboplatin, and pembrolizumab or camrelizumab. In these patients, the ORR was 75% and disease control rate was 100%. Fifteen patients received selective RET inhibitors (pralsetinib and selpercatinib), resulting in an ORR of 53.3% (8/15) and median PFS of 10.0 months (95% CI 5.2-14.9). Conclusions ICIs for PD-L overexpression and treatment naive patients offer comparable benefits for RET fusion-positive NSCLC, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, CAMS Key Laboratory of Translational Research on Lung Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, CAMS Key Laboratory of Translational Research on Lung Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, CAMS Key Laboratory of Translational Research on Lung Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, CAMS Key Laboratory of Translational Research on Lung Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianchun Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, CAMS Key Laboratory of Translational Research on Lung Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, CAMS Key Laboratory of Translational Research on Lung Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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22
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Lim SM, Lee JB, Oya Y, Nutzinger J, Soo R. Path Less Traveled: Targeting Rare Driver Oncogenes in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:47-56. [PMID: 37733983 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, tremendous efforts have been made in the development of targeted agents in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with nonsquamous histology. Pivotal studies have used next-generation sequencing to select the patient population harboring oncogenic driver alterations that are targetable with targeted therapies. As treatment paradigm rapidly evolves for patients with rare oncogene-driven NSCLC, updated comprehensive overview of diagnostic approach and treatment options is paramount in clinical settings. In this review article, we discuss the epidemiology, molecular testing, and landmark clinical trials addressing the targeted agents for ROS1 rearrangement, METex14 skipping mutation, EGFR exon 20 insertion, KRAS G12C mutation, HER2 mutation, RET fusion, NTRK fusion, and BRAF mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yuko Oya
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Jorn Nutzinger
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Ross Soo
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
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23
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Gray JE, Han JY, Telaranta-Keerie A, Huang X, Kohlmann A, Hodge R, Rukazenkov Y, Chmielecki J, Espenschied CR, Lefterova M, Wu YL, Ramalingam SS, Barrett JC, Odegaard JI. Pan-Tumor Analytical Validation and Osimertinib Clinical Validation in EGFR Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Supporting the First Next-Generation Sequencing Liquid Biopsy in Vitro Diagnostic. J Mol Diagn 2024; 26:73-84. [PMID: 37981090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive genotyping is necessary to identify therapy options for patients with advanced cancer; however, many cancers are not tested, partly because of tissue limitations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) liquid biopsies overcome some limitations, but clinical validity is not established and adoption is limited. Herein, clinical bridging studies used pretreatment plasma samples and data from FLAURA (NCT02296125; n = 441) and AURA3 (NCT02151981; n = 450) pivotal studies to demonstrate clinical validity of Guardant360 CDx (NGS LBx) to identify patients with advanced EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer who may benefit from osimertinib. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Patients with EGFR mutation as identified by NGS LBx had significant PFS benefit with first-line osimertinib over standard of care (15.2 versus 9.6 months; hazard ratio, 0.41; P < 0.0001) and with later-line osimertinib over chemotherapy (8.3 versus 4.2 months; hazard ratio, 0.34; P < 0.0001). PFS benefits were similar to the original trial cohorts selected by tissue-based EGFR testing. Analytical validation included accuracy, precision, limit of detection, and specificity. Analytical validity was established for EGFR mutation detection and pan-tumor profiling. Panel-wide limit of detection was 0.1% to 0.5%, with 98% to 100% per-sample specificity. Patients with EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer by NGS LBx had improved PFS with osimertinib, confirming clinical validity. Analytical validity was established for guideline-recommended therapeutic targets across solid tumors. The resulting US Food and Drug Administration approval of NGS LBx demonstrated safety and effectiveness for its intended use and is expected to improve adherence to guideline-recommended targeted therapy use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhanelle E Gray
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Ji-Youn Han
- Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Aino Telaranta-Keerie
- Precision Medicine and Biosamples, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Melbourn Royston, United Kingdom
| | - Xiangning Huang
- Oncology Biometrics, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Kohlmann
- Precision Medicine and Biosamples, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Rachel Hodge
- Oncology Biometrics, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Yuri Rukazenkov
- Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Juliann Chmielecki
- Translational Medicine, Early Research and Development, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Yi-Long Wu
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Peoples Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suresh S Ramalingam
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - J Carl Barrett
- Translational Medicine, Early Research and Development, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
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24
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Jara MA. Management of Advanced Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Current Systemic Therapy Options. Crit Rev Oncog 2024; 29:83-90. [PMID: 38683155 DOI: 10.1615/critrevoncog.2024051588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The current rapid development of more selective and effective drugs for the treatment of thyroid cancer has open a new era in the treatment of patients with this condition, in the past limited to the possibility of only radioactive iodine for well differentiated tumor and surgery for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The treatment of advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma has evolved in the last few years and options for patients with advanced disease are now available. Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) with nonselective RET inhibition like Vandetanib and Cabozantinib were approved for the treatment of MTC, although the efficacy is limited due to the lack of specificity resulting in a higher rate of drug-related adverse events, leading to subsequent dose reductions, or discontinuation, and the development of a resistance mechanism like seen on the RET Val804 gatekeeper mutations. MTC is associated with mutations in the RET protooncogene, and new highly selective RET inhibitors have been developed including Selpercatinib and Pralsetinib, drugs that have demonstrate excellent results in clinical trials, and efficacy even in the presence of gatekeeper mutations. However, despite their efficacy and great tolerability, mechanisms of resistance have been described, such as the RET solvent front mutations. Due to this, the need of constant evolution and drug research is necessary to overcome the emergence of resistance mechanisms.
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25
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Clark L, Fisher G, Brook S, Patel S, Arkenau HT. Selective RET Inhibitors (SRIs) in Cancer: A Journey from Multi-Kinase Inhibitors to the Next Generation of SRIs. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:31. [PMID: 38201460 PMCID: PMC10778005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
RET is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays an important role in the development of neurons and kidneys. The gene encoding the rearranged-during-transfection (RET) receptor tyrosine kinase was first discovered in the 1980s. Activating RET mutations and rearrangements have since been identified as actionable drivers of oncogenesis in numerous cancer types and are most prevalent in thyroid and non-small-cell lung cancer. Following the modest success of repurposed RET-active multikinase inhibitors, the first selective RET inhibitors (SRIs), selpercatinib and pralsetinib, received regulatory approval in 2020. Now, thousands of patients with RET-altered cancers have benefited from first-generation SRIs, with impressive deep and durable responses. However, following prolonged treatment with these SRIs, a number of acquired on-target resistance mutations have been identified together with other non-RET-dependent resistance mechanisms. Today, the focus is on how we can further evolve and improve the treatment of RET-altered tumors with next-generation SRIs, and a number of candidate drugs are in development. The ideal next-generation SRIs will be active against on-target acquired resistance alterations, including those that emerge in the CNS, and will have improved safety and tolerability relative to first-generation SRIs. In this review, we will provide an update on these candidates and their potential to meet the unmet clinical need for patients who progress on first-generation SRIs.
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26
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Niu ZX, Wang YT, Lu N, Sun JF, Nie P, Herdewijn P. Advances of clinically approved small-molecule drugs for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115868. [PMID: 37844346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer continues to pose a significant challenge as a prominent contributor to global cancer-related mortality. Despite the considerable strides made in therapeutic interventions within the past decade, a substantial population of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still face the grim reality of an incurable condition. In the realm of optimal management strategies for individuals afflicted with locally advanced, yet amenable to surgical resection, NSCLC, a therapeutic approach encompassing chemoradiation stands as a fundamental component. Significant strides have been made in the therapeutic landscape of NSCLC during the preceding two decades, facilitating an enhanced comprehension of the underlying disease biology, and mechanisms governing tumor progression, as well as advancements in early detection modalities and multimodal therapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, the overall rates of curative interventions and survival outcomes for NSCLC continue to exhibit a discouragingly low trajectory, particularly in the context of metastatic disease. Hence, the imperative for sustained research endeavors in the realm of novel pharmaceutical agents and combinatorial therapeutic approaches remains paramount, with the overarching objective of broadening the scope of clinical advantages conferred upon a wider demographic of patients, thereby fostering tangible improvements in outcomes pertaining to NSCLC. The primary objective of this review is to provide an all-encompassing examination encompassing the clinical application and synthetic routes of specific drugs, with the explicit aim of disseminating invaluable knowledge that can inform future research and development endeavors focused on NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Xi Niu
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450018, China
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450018, China; First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Henan Province, Shangqiu, 476100, China
| | - Nan Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jin-Feng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, College of Pharmacy, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China.
| | - Peng Nie
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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27
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Li J, Gu A, Nong XM, Zhai S, Yue ZY, Li MY, Liu Y. Six-Membered Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocyclic Anti-Tumor Agents: Synthesis and Applications. CHEM REC 2023; 23:e202300293. [PMID: 38010365 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stands as a serious malady, posing substantial risks to human well-being and survival. This underscores the paramount necessity to explore and investigate novel antitumor medications. Nitrogen-containing compounds, especially those derived from natural sources, form a highly significant category of antitumor agents. Among these, antitumor agents with six-membered aromatic nitrogen heterocycles have consistently attracted the attention of chemists and pharmacologists. Accordingly, we present a comprehensive summary of synthetic strategies and clinical implications of these compounds in this review. This entails an in-depth analysis of synthesis pathways for pyridine, quinoline, pyrimidine, and quinazoline. Additionally, we explore the historical progression, targets, mechanisms of action, and clinical effectiveness of small molecule inhibitors possessing these structural features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Ao Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Nong
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shuyang Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhu-Ying Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Meng-Yao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yingbin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
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28
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Pu X, Xu C, Wang Q, Wang W, Wu F, Cai X, Song Z, Yu J, Zhong W, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang S, Liu A, Li W, Zhan P, Liu H, Lv T, Miao L, Min L, Lin G, Huang L, Yuan J, Jiang Z, Rao C, Lv D, Yu Z, Li X, Tang C, Zhou C, Zhang J, Guo H, Chu Q, Meng R, Liu X, Wu J, Zhou J, Zhu Z, Pan W, Pang F, Huang J, Wang K, Wu F, Shen T, Zou S, Xu B, Wang L, Zhu Y, Lin X, Cai J, Xu L, Li J, Jiao X, Li K, Feng H, Wang L, Du Y, Yao W, Shi X, Niu X, Yuan D, Yao Y, Kang J, Zhang J, Zhang C, Fu J, Huang J, Zhang Y, Sun P, Wang H, Ye M, Wang D, Wang Z, Hao Y, Wang Z, Wan B, Lv D, Lan G, Yang S, Shi L, Wang Y, Li B, Zhang Z, Li Z, Li Y, Liu Z, Yang N, Wang H, Huang W, Hong Z, Wang G, Wang J, Fang M, Fang Y, Zhu X, Shen Y, Zhang Y, Ma S, Song Y, Lu Y, Fang W, Li Z, Wu L. Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of RET gene fusion non-small cell lung cancer in China. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:3166-3177. [PMID: 37718634 PMCID: PMC10626248 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The rearranged during transfection (RET) gene is one of the receptor tyrosine kinases and cell-surface molecules responsible for transmitting signals that regulate cell growth and differentiation. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), RET fusion is a rare driver gene alteration associated with a poor prognosis. Fortunately, two selective RET inhibitors (sRETi), namely pralsetinib and selpercatinib, have been approved for treating RET fusion NSCLC due to their remarkable efficacy and safety profiles. These inhibitors have shown the ability to overcome resistance to multikinase inhibitors (MKIs). Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are investigating several second-generation sRETis that are specifically designed to target solvent front mutations, which pose a challenge for first-generation sRETis. The effective screening of patients is the first crucial step in the clinical application of RET-targeted therapy. Currently, four methods are widely used for detecting gene rearrangements: next-generation sequencing (NGS), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Each of these methods has its advantages and limitations. To streamline the clinical workflow and improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for RET fusion NSCLC, our expert group has reached a consensus. Our objective is to maximize the clinical benefit for patients and promote standardized approaches to RET fusion screening and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxiang Pu
- The Second Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chunwei Xu
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM)Chinese Academy of SciencesHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Respiratory MedicineAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese MedicineNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wenxian Wang
- Department of ChemotherapyChinese Academy of Sciences University Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiuyu Cai
- Department of VIP Inpatient, Sun Yat‐Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhengbo Song
- Department of ChemotherapyChinese Academy of Sciences University Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jinpu Yu
- Department of Cancer Molecular Diagnostics CoreTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjinPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wenzhao Zhong
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of MedicineGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yongchang Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer and Gastrointestinal Unit, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Thoracic CancerJilin Cancer HospitalJilinPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shirong Zhang
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer CenterZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Anwen Liu
- Department of OncologySecond Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wen Li
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Cancer CenterZhejiang UniversityHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ping Zhan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hongbing Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Tangfeng Lv
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Liyun Miao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Drum Tower HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lingfeng Min
- Department of Respiratory MedicineClinical Medical School of Yangzhou University, Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu ProvinceYangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Gen Lin
- Department of Medical OncologyFujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer HospitalFuzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Long Huang
- Department of OncologySecond Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jingping Yuan
- Department of PathologyRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhansheng Jiang
- Department of Integrative OncologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjinPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chuangzhou Rao
- Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Hwamei HospitalUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesNingboPeople's Republic of China
| | - Dongqing Lv
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineTaizhou Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityTaizhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zongyang Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team (the Former Fuzhou General Hospital)Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chuanhao Tang
- Department of Medical OncologyPeking University International HospitalBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chengzhi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory HealthThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University)GuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Junping Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Shanxi Academy of Medical SciencesShanxi Bethune HospitalTaiyuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Rui Meng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xuewen Liu
- Department of Oncology, the Third Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jingxun Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of MedicineUniversity of Electronic Science and TechnologyChengduPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhengfei Zhu
- Department of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Pan
- Department of Cell Biology, College of MedicineJiaxing UniversityJiaxingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fei Pang
- Department of MedicalShanghai OrigiMed Co, LtdShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jintao Huang
- Department of MedicalShanghai OrigiMed Co, LtdShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of MedicalShanghai OrigiMed Co, LtdShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of MedicalMenarini Silicon Biosystems SpaShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Shen
- Department of MedicalStone Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.ShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shirui Zou
- Department of MedicalStone Pharmaceuticals (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.ShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bingwei Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer InstituteFirst Affiliated Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Liping Wang
- Department of OncologyBaotou Cancer HospitalBaotouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Youcai Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhejiang Rongjun HospitalThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing UniversityJiaxingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xinqing Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory HealthThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University)GuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jing Cai
- Department of OncologySecond Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ling Xu
- Department of Interventional Pulmonary DiseasesAnhui Chest HospitalHefeiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jisheng Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinnanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Kainan Li
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Huijing Feng
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Shanxi Academy of Medical SciencesShanxi Bethune HospitalTaiyuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Academy of Medical SciencesShanxi Bethune HospitalTaiyuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Du
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wang Yao
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xuefei Shi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHuzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Niu
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Yuan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yanwen Yao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jing Kang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of MedicineGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jiatao Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of MedicineGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Lung Cancer, Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of MedicineGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jianfei Fu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinhua HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineJinhuaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jianhui Huang
- Department of OncologyLishui Municipal Central HospitalLishuiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yinbin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical CollegeXi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anPeople's Republic of China
| | - Pingli Sun
- Department of PathologyThe Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hong Wang
- Senior Department of OncologyThe 5th Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Mingxiang Ye
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhaofeng Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yue Hao
- Department of ChemotherapyChinese Academy of Sciences University Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of NanjingNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bing Wan
- Department of Respiratory MedicineThe Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Donglai Lv
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe 901 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People Liberation ArmyHefeiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Gang Lan
- Department of Thoracic Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhejiang Rongjun HospitalThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing UniversityJiaxingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shengjie Yang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryChuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture People's HospitalChuxiongPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yina Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bihui Li
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical UniversityGuilinPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhongwu Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of PathologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of PathologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhefeng Liu
- Senior Department of OncologyThe 5th Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Nong Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer and Gastrointestinal Unit, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Department of Medical OncologyThe Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer HospitalZhengzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wenbin Huang
- Department of Pathologythe First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and TechnologyLuoyangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhuan Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer HospitalNanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer HospitalNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Guansong Wang
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao HospitalThird Military Medical UniversityChongqingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Meiyu Fang
- Department of ChemotherapyChinese Academy of Sciences University Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yong Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw HospitalZhejiang UniversityHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xixu Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of NanjingNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yiping Zhang
- Department of ChemotherapyChinese Academy of Sciences University Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shenglin Ma
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Cancer CenterZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yong Song
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Jinling HospitalMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjingPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhi Lu
- Department of Clinical PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wenfeng Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ziming Li
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lin Wu
- The Second Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
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Sahakian N, Castinetti F, Romanet P. Molecular Basis and Natural History of Medullary Thyroid Cancer: It is (Almost) All in the RET. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4865. [PMID: 37835559 PMCID: PMC10572078 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare disease, which can be either sporadic (roughly 75% of cases) or genetically determined (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, due to REarranged during Transfection RET germline mutations, 25% of cases). Interestingly, RET pathogenic variants (mainly M918T) have also been reported in aggressive forms of sporadic MTC, suggesting the importance of RET signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of MTC. The initial theory of RET codon-related MTC aggressiveness has been recently questioned by studies suggesting that this would only define the age at disease onset rather than the aggressiveness of MTC. Other factors might however impact the natural history of the disease, such as RET polymorphisms, epigenetic factors, environmental factors, MET (mesenchymal-epithelial transition) alterations, or even other genetic alterations such as RAS family (HRAS, KRAS, NRAS) genetic alterations. This review will detail the molecular bases of MTC, focusing on RET pathways, and the potential mechanisms that explain the phenotypic intra- and interfamilial heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Sahakian
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, La Conception University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France; (N.S.); (F.C.)
| | - Frédéric Castinetti
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, La Conception University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France; (N.S.); (F.C.)
| | - Pauline Romanet
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, La Conception University Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Marseille, France
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30
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Steen EA, Basilaia M, Kim W, Getz T, Gustafson JL, Zage PE. Targeting the RET tyrosine kinase in neuroblastoma: A review and application of a novel selective drug design strategy. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115751. [PMID: 37595672 PMCID: PMC10911250 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The RET (REarranged during Transfection) gene, which encodes for a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, is an established oncogene associated with the etiology and progression of multiple types of cancer. Oncogenic RET mutations and rearrangements resulting in gene fusions have been identified in many adult cancers, including medullary and papillary thyroid cancers, lung adenocarcinomas, colon and breast cancers, and many others. While genetic RET aberrations are much less common in pediatric solid tumors, increased RET expression has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in children with solid tumors such as neuroblastoma, prompting an interest in RET inhibition as a form of therapy for these children. A number of kinase inhibitors currently in use for patients with cancer have RET inhibitory activity, but these inhibitors also display activity against other kinases, resulting in unwanted side effects and limiting their safety and efficacy. Recent efforts have been focused on developing more specific RET inhibitors, but due to high levels of conservation between kinase binding pockets, specificity remains a drug design challenge. Here, we review the background of RET as a potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma tumors and the results of recent preclinical studies and clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of RET inhibition in adults and children. We also present a novel approach to drug discovery leveraging the chemical phenomenon of atropisomerism to develop specific RET inhibitors and present preliminary data demonstrating the efficacy of a novel RET inhibitor against neuroblastoma tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica A Steen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Mariam Basilaia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - William Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Taelor Getz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jeffrey L Gustafson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA.
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31
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Zhao L, Zhang J, Wang N, Zhang D, Wang Z, Yu Y, Mei Q, Liao D, Jia Y, Kong F. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for RET fusion non-small cell lung cancer: hopes and challenges. Anticancer Drugs 2023; 34:979-984. [PMID: 36729098 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune ch eckpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a milestone in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, NSCLC with known oncogenic drivers has been overlooked in most studies evaluating anti-programmed death-1/programmed death ligand 1. Rearranged during transfection proto-oncogene (RET) gene fusion was identified in 1-2% of NSCLC patients. More recently, two selective RET inhibitors, selpercatinib and pralsetinib, demonstrated higher efficacy and good tolerability. In contrast, the activity of ICIs in RET fusion NSCLC has not been well characterized. Here, we analyzed the clinical data of ICIs and discussed the suitable time to introduce ICIs in RET fusion NSCLC. Finally, we put forward future strategies to adequately maximize the efficacy of ICIs treatment in patients with RET fusion NSCLC in the upcoming era of combination immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Dou Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Yongchao Yu
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Qingyun Mei
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Dongying Liao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Yingjie Jia
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
| | - Fanming Kong
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China
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32
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Ke JY, Huang S, Jing ZT, Duan MC. The efficacy and safety of selective RET inhibitors in RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis. Invest New Drugs 2023; 41:768-776. [PMID: 37603207 PMCID: PMC10560178 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01390-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive occurs in approximately 2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This mutation often predicts metastasis risk and poor prognosis, and current mainstream therapies provide limited patient benefit. Selective RET inhibitors Pralsetinib and Selpercatinib are targeted drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating RET-mutated tumors. The phase I/II clinical trial results of their treatment of NSCLC have been published. However, the clinical effect of selective RET inhibitors on RET fusion-positive NSCLC remains controversial. Purpose Meta-analysis was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of selective RET inhibitors in treating RET fusion-positive NSCLC. Methods Qualified literature was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. Outcomes included objective response rate (ORR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), disease control rate (DCR), intracranial ORR, and adverse events. Stata 15.1 software was used to analyze the data. Results A total of 8 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The combined results showed that the ORR of patients treated with selective RET inhibitors was 67% (95% confidence interval:0.64 to 0.70, P < 0.01), DCR was 92% (95%CI: 0.91-0.94, P < 0.01), the mPFS was 16.09 months (95%CI: 11.66-20.52, P < 0.01). In treated patients with RET mutation, the intracranial ORR was 86% (95%CI:0.74 ~ 0.96, P < 0.01). ORR in untreated patients was more effective than untreated patients [HR = 0.44 (95%CI: 0.35-0.56, P < 0.01)]. The major adverse events (grade 3-4) are neutropenia (13%) and anaemia (13%). Conclusions Selective RET inhibitors Pralsetinib and Selpercatinib have shown a good effect on RET fusion-positive NSCLC, with a low incidence of adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Yi Ke
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Huang
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Tao Jing
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Min-Chao Duan
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.
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33
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Guo Q, Cheng ZM, Gonzalez-Cantú H, Rotondi M, Huelgas-Morales G, Ethiraj P, Qiu Z, Lefkowitz J, Song W, Landry BN, Lopez H, Estrada-Zuniga CM, Goyal S, Khan MA, Walker TJ, Wang E, Li F, Ding Y, Mulligan LM, Aguiar RCT, Dahia PLM. TMEM127 suppresses tumor development by promoting RET ubiquitination, positioning, and degradation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113070. [PMID: 37659079 PMCID: PMC10637630 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The TMEM127 gene encodes a transmembrane protein of poorly known function that is mutated in pheochromocytomas, neural crest-derived tumors of adrenomedullary cells. Here, we report that, at single-nucleus resolution, TMEM127-mutant tumors share precursor cells and transcription regulatory elements with pheochromocytomas carrying mutations of the tyrosine kinase receptor RET. Additionally, TMEM127-mutant pheochromocytomas, human cells, and mouse knockout models of TMEM127 accumulate RET and increase its signaling. TMEM127 contributes to RET cellular positioning, trafficking, and lysosome-mediated degradation. Mechanistically, TMEM127 binds to RET and recruits the NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligase for RET ubiquitination and degradation via TMEM127 C-terminal PxxY motifs. Lastly, increased cell proliferation and tumor burden after TMEM127 loss can be reversed by selective RET inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Our results define TMEM127 as a component of the ubiquitin system and identify aberrant RET stabilization as a likely mechanism through which TMEM127 loss-of-function mutations cause pheochromocytoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianjin Guo
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zi-Ming Cheng
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hector Gonzalez-Cantú
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Matthew Rotondi
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gabriela Huelgas-Morales
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Purushoth Ethiraj
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zhijun Qiu
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Lefkowitz
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Wan Song
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Bethany N Landry
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hector Lopez
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Cynthia M Estrada-Zuniga
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Shivi Goyal
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mohammad Aasif Khan
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Timothy J Walker
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Exing Wang
- Department Cell Structure and Anatomy, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Faqian Li
- Department of Pathology, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Yanli Ding
- Department of Pathology, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lois M Mulligan
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Ricardo C T Aguiar
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA; Mays Cancer Center, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA; South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie Murphy VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Patricia L M Dahia
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, USA; Mays Cancer Center, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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34
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Gild ML, Clifton-Bligh RJ, Wirth LJ, Robinson BG. Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Updates and Challenges. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:934-946. [PMID: 37204852 PMCID: PMC10656709 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A personalized approach to the management of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) presents several challenges; however, in the past decade significant progress has been made in both diagnostic and treatment modalities. Germline rearranged in transfection (RET) testing in multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 and 3, and somatic RET testing in sporadic MTC have revolutionized the treatment options available to patients. Positron emission tomography imaging with novel radioligands has improved characterization of disease and a new international grading system can predict prognosis. Systemic therapy for persistent and metastatic disease has evolved significantly with targeted kinase therapy especially for those harboring germline or somatic RET variants. Selpercatinib and pralsetinib are highly selective RET kinase inhibitors that have shown improved progression-free survival with better tolerability than outcomes seen in earlier multikinase inhibitor studies. Here we discuss changes in paradigms for MTC patients: from determining RET alteration status upfront to novel techniques for the evaluation of this heterogenous disease. Successes and challenges with kinase inhibitor use will illustrate how managing this rare malignancy continues to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti L Gild
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney 2065, Australia
- Cancer Genetics, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney 2065, Australia
| | - Roderick J Clifton-Bligh
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney 2065, Australia
- Cancer Genetics, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney 2065, Australia
| | - Lori J Wirth
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, & Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA
| | - Bruce G Robinson
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney 2065, Australia
- Cancer Genetics, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney 2065, Australia
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35
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Hadoux J, Al Ghuzlan A, Lamartina L, Bani MA, Moog S, Attard M, Scoazec JY, Hartl D, Aldea M, Friboulet L, Jules-Clement G, Italiano A, Besse B, Lacroix L, Baudin E. Patterns of Treatment Failure After Selective Rearranged During Transfection (RET) Inhibitors in Patients With Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2300053. [PMID: 38127829 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) harbors frequent mutations in RET oncogene. Selective RET inhibitors (RETi) have emerged as effective treatments. However, resistance almost invariably occurs. METHODS MTC patients who were initiated on RETi between 2018 and 2022 were included. Baseline characteristics, RET mutational status, RETi response, available tumor tissue and molecular profiles sampled pre- and post-RETi were analyzed. RESULTS Among 46 MTC patients on RETi during the study period, 26 patients had discontinued at data cut-off because of progression (n = 16), death (n = 4), and toxicity (n = 6). The most frequent RET mutations at baseline were p.M918T (n = 29), and p.C634X (n = 6). Pre- and post-RETi molecular profiles were available in 14 patients. There was no primary resistance on pre-RETi samples. Post-RETi profiles revealed a bypass mechanism of resistance in 75% of the cases including RAS genes mutations (50%), FGFR2 and ALK fusions and and MYC p.P44L. RET solvent from and hinge region mutations was the only resistance mechanisms in 25% of the cases. Tumor samples from initial thyroidectomy, pre- and post-RETi, from six patients, showed an increase of the mean Ki 67-index of 7%, 17% and 40% respectively (P = 0.037) and a more aggressive poorly differentiated histology in three patients. DISCUSSION Bypass resistance may be the most frequent mechanism of progression under RETi. A more aggressive histology may arise following RETi and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Hadoux
- Département d'imagerie, Service d'oncologie endocrinienne, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Abir Al Ghuzlan
- Département de biologie et pathologie médicale, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Livia Lamartina
- Département d'imagerie, Service d'oncologie endocrinienne, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Mohamed-Amine Bani
- Département de biologie et pathologie médicale, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Sophie Moog
- Département d'imagerie, Service d'oncologie endocrinienne, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie Attard
- Département d'imagerie, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean Yves Scoazec
- Département de biologie et pathologie médicale, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Paris-Saclay Université, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Dana Hartl
- Département de chirurgie et anesthésie, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Mihaela Aldea
- Faculté de Médecine, Paris-Saclay Université, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Département de médecine, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Luc Friboulet
- Inserm U981, Gustave Roussy, Paris-Saclay Université, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Antoine Italiano
- Département d'innovation thérapeutique et essais précoces, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Faculté de Médecine, Paris-Saclay Université, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Département de médecine, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Ludovic Lacroix
- Département de biologie et pathologie médicale, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Eric Baudin
- Département d'imagerie, Service d'oncologie endocrinienne, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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Miyazaki I, Odintsov I, Ishida K, Lui AJW, Kato M, Suzuki T, Zhang T, Wakayama K, Kurth RI, Cheng R, Fujita H, Delasos L, Vojnic M, Khodos I, Yamada Y, Ishizawa K, Mattar MS, Funabashi K, Chang Q, Ohkubo S, Yano W, Terada R, Giuliano C, Lu YC, Bonifacio A, Kunte S, Davare MA, Cheng EH, de Stanchina E, Lovati E, Iwasawa Y, Ladanyi M, Somwar R. Vepafestinib is a pharmacologically advanced RET-selective inhibitor with high CNS penetration and inhibitory activity against RET solvent front mutations. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1345-1361. [PMID: 37743366 PMCID: PMC10518257 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00630-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
RET receptor tyrosine kinase is activated in various cancers (lung, thyroid, colon and pancreatic, among others) through oncogenic fusions or gain-of-function single-nucleotide variants. Small-molecule RET kinase inhibitors became standard-of-care therapy for advanced malignancies driven by RET. The therapeutic benefit of RET inhibitors is limited, however, by acquired mutations in the drug target as well as brain metastasis, presumably due to inadequate brain penetration. Here, we perform preclinical characterization of vepafestinib (TAS0953/HM06), a next-generation RET inhibitor with a unique binding mode. We demonstrate that vepafestinib has best-in-class selectivity against RET, while exerting activity against commonly reported on-target resistance mutations (variants in RETL730, RETV804 and RETG810), and shows superior pharmacokinetic properties in the brain when compared to currently approved RET drugs. We further show that these properties translate into improved tumor control in an intracranial model of RET-driven cancer. Our results underscore the clinical potential of vepafestinib in treating RET-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Igor Odintsov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Allan J W Lui
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Tom Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Renate I Kurth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Lukas Delasos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Morana Vojnic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Inna Khodos
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kota Ishizawa
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Marissa S Mattar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Qing Chang
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Wakako Yano
- Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | | | - Yue Christine Lu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Siddharth Kunte
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Dana Cancer Center, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Monika A Davare
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Emily H Cheng
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Romel Somwar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Desilets A, Repetto M, Yang SR, Sherman EJ, Drilon A. RET-Altered Cancers-A Tumor-Agnostic Review of Biology, Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4146. [PMID: 37627175 PMCID: PMC10452615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RET alterations, such as fusions or mutations, drive the growth of multiple tumor types. These alterations are found in canonical (lung and thyroid) and non-canonical (e.g., gastrointestinal, breast, gynecological, genitourinary, histiocytic) cancers. RET alterations are best identified via comprehensive next-generation sequencing, preferably with DNA and RNA interrogation for fusions. Targeted therapies for RET-dependent cancers have evolved from older multikinase inhibitors to selective inhibitors of RET such as selpercatinib and pralsetinib. Prospective basket trials and retrospective reports have demonstrated the activity of these drugs in a wide variety of RET-altered cancers, notably those with RET fusions. This paved the way for the first tumor-agnostic selective RET inhibitor US FDA approval in 2022. Acquired resistance to RET kinase inhibitors can take the form of acquired resistance mutations (e.g., RET G810X) or bypass alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Desilets
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (A.D.); (M.R.); (S.-R.Y.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Matteo Repetto
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (A.D.); (M.R.); (S.-R.Y.); (E.J.S.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Soo-Ryum Yang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (A.D.); (M.R.); (S.-R.Y.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Eric J. Sherman
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (A.D.); (M.R.); (S.-R.Y.); (E.J.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Drilon
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; (A.D.); (M.R.); (S.-R.Y.); (E.J.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Rotow J, Patel JD, Hanley MP, Yu H, Awad M, Goldman JW, Nechushtan H, Scheffler M, S Kuo CH, Rajappa S, Harada G, Clifford S, Santucci A, Silva L, Tupper R, Oxnard GR, Kherani J, Drilon A. Osimertinib and Selpercatinib Efficacy, Safety, and Resistance in a Multicenter, Prospectively Treated Cohort of EGFR-Mutant and RET Fusion-Positive Lung Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:2979-2987. [PMID: 36996322 PMCID: PMC10524391 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acquired RET fusions have been reported at resistance to treatment with EGFR inhibitors in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, a multicenter cohort of patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers treated with osimertinib and selpercatinib for RET fusion-mediated osimertinib resistance has not previously been published. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who received selpercatinib in combination with osimertinib on a prospective expanded access clinical trial (NCT03906331) and single-patient compassionate use programs across five countries were centrally analyzed. All patients had advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC with a RET fusion detected from tissue or plasma following osimertinib therapy. Clinicopathologic and outcomes data were collected. RESULTS Fourteen patients with EGFR-mutant and RET fusion-positive lung cancers who experienced prior progression on osimertinib received osimertinib and selpercatinib. EGFR exon 19 deletions (±T790M, 86%) and non-KIF5B fusions (CCDC6-RET 50%, NCOA4-RET 36%) predominated. Osimertinib 80 mg daily and selpercatinib 80 mg twice daily were the most commonly administered dosages. The response rate, disease control rate, and median treatment duration were 50% [95% confidence interval (CI), 25%-75%, n = 12], 83% (95% CI, 55%-95%), and 7.9 months (range, 0.8-25+), respectively. Resistance was complex, involving EGFR on-target (EGFR C797S), RET on-target (RET G810S), and off-target (EML4-ALK/STRN-ALK, KRAS G12S, BRAF V600E) mechanisms; RET fusion loss; or polyclonal mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS For patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC with an acquired RET fusion as a mechanism of EGFR inhibitor resistance, the addition of selpercatinib to osimertinib was feasible and safe and offered clinical benefit, supporting the prospective evaluation of this combination. See related commentary by Krebs and Popat, p. 2951.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Rotow
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jyoti D. Patel
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Helena Yu
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New Yorks
| | - Mark Awad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | - Senthil Rajappa
- Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Nandi Nagar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Guilherme Harada
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New Yorks
| | - Sarah Clifford
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alison Santucci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laura Silva
- Loxo Oncology at Lilly, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Geoffrey R. Oxnard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Alexander Drilon
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New Yorks
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Stinchcombe TE. Selpercatinib in patients with RET fusion positive non-small cell lung cancer: updated follow-up of the LIBRETTO-001 phase I/II trial. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2023; 12:1655-1657. [PMID: 37577312 PMCID: PMC10413039 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-23-202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
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Guo J, Zhou Y, Lu X. Advances in protein kinase drug discovery through targeting gatekeeper mutations. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1349-1366. [PMID: 37811637 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2265303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acquired resistance caused by gatekeeper mutations has become a major challenge for approved kinase inhibitors used in the clinic. Consequently, the development of new-generation inhibitors or degraders to overcome clinical resistance has become an important research focus for the field. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the common gatekeeper mutations in druggable kinases and the constantly evolving inhibitors or degraders designed to overcome single or double mutations of gatekeeper residues. Furthermore, the authors provide their perspectives on the medicinal chemistry strategies for addressing clinical resistance with gatekeeper mutations. EXPERT OPINION The authors suggest optimizing kinase inhibitors to interact effectively with gatekeeper residues, altering the binding mode or binding pocket to avoid steric clashes, improving binding affinity with the target, utilizing protein degraders, and developing combination therapy. These approaches have the potential to be effective in overcoming resistance due to gatekeeper residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Lu
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Hamidi S, Hofmann MC, Iyer PC, Cabanillas ME, Hu MI, Busaidy NL, Dadu R. Review article: new treatments for advanced differentiated thyroid cancers and potential mechanisms of drug resistance. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1176731. [PMID: 37435488 PMCID: PMC10331470 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1176731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of advanced, radioiodine refractory, differentiated thyroid cancers (RR-DTCs) has undergone major advancements in the last decade, causing a paradigm shift in the management and prognosis of these patients. Better understanding of the molecular drivers of tumorigenesis and access to next generation sequencing of tumors have led to the development and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approval of numerous targeted therapies for RR-DTCs, including antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitors, and more recently, fusion-specific kinase inhibitors such as RET inhibitors and NTRK inhibitors. BRAF + MEK inhibitors have also been approved for BRAF-mutated solid tumors and are routinely used in RR-DTCs in many centers. However, none of the currently available treatments are curative, and most patients will ultimately show progression. Current research efforts are therefore focused on identifying resistance mechanisms to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and ways to overcome them. Various novel treatment strategies are under investigation, including immunotherapy, redifferentiation therapy, and second-generation kinase inhibitors. In this review, we will discuss currently available drugs for advanced RR-DTCs, potential mechanisms of drug resistance and future therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ramona Dadu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Alzumaili B, Sadow PM. Update on Molecular Diagnostics in Thyroid Pathology: A Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1314. [PMID: 37510219 PMCID: PMC10379610 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid nodules are quite common, and the determination of a nodule of concern is complex, involving serum testing, radiology and, in some cases, pathological evaluation. For those nodules that raise clinical concern of neoplasia, fine needle aspiration biopsy is the gold standard for evaluation; however, in up to 30% of cases, results are indeterminate for malignancy, and further testing is needed. Advances in molecular testing have shown it to be of benefit for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes, and its use has become an integral part of thyroid cancer management in the United States and in several global nations. After The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) consortium published its molecular landscape of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and reduced the "black matter" in PTC from 25% to 3.5%, further work ensued to clarify the remaining fraction not neatly attributed to the BRAFV600E-like or RAS-like phenotypes of the TCGA. Over the past decade, commercial molecular platforms have been refined as data accrues, and they increasingly cover most genetic variants of thyroid carcinomas. Molecular reporting focuses on the nodule tested, including related clinical information for that nodule (size of nodule, Bethesda category, etc.). This results in a comprehensive report to physicians that may also include patient-directed, clear language that facilitates conversations about nodule management. In cases of advanced or recurrent disease, molecular testing may become essential for devising an individual therapeutic plan. In this review, we focus on the evolution of integrated molecular testing in thyroid nodules, and how our understanding of tumor genetics, combined with histopathology, is driving the next generation of rational patient management, particularly in the context of emerging small, targetable therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayan Alzumaili
- Departments of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Peter M Sadow
- Departments of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Gouda MA, Subbiah V. Precision oncology with selective RET inhibitor selpercatinib in RET-rearranged cancers. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231177015. [PMID: 37360768 PMCID: PMC10288430 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231177015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) is a protooncogene that encodes for receptor tyrosine kinase with downstream effects on multiple cellular pathways. Activating RET alterations can occur and lead to uncontrolled cellular proliferation as a hallmark of cancer development. Oncogenic RET fusions are present in nearly 2% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 10-20% of patients with thyroid cancer, and <1% across the pan-cancer spectrum. In addition, RET mutations are drivers in 60% of sporadic medullary thyroid cancers and 99% of hereditary thyroid cancers. The discovery, rapid clinical translation, and trials leading to FDA approvals of selective RET inhibitors, selpercatinib and pralsetinib, have revolutionized the field of RET precision therapy. In this article, we review the current status on the use of the selective RET inhibitor, selpercatinib, in RET fusion-positive tumors: NSCLC, thyroid cancers, and the more recent tissue-agnostic activity leading to FDA approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Gouda
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vivek Subbiah
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute, 1100 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd. Suite 800. Nashville, TN 37203, USA
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Trocchianesi S, Po A, Citarella A, Spinello Z, Rughetti A, Besharat ZM, Autilio TM, Pecce V, Verrienti A, Elisei R, Durante C, Catanzaro G, Ferretti E. Molecular mechanisms of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor pralsetinib activity in in-vitro models of medullary thyroid carcinoma: Aberrant activation of the HH-Gli signaling pathway in acquired resistance. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114995. [PMID: 37301138 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor with challenging management. Multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (MKI) and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) with high specificity for RET protein are approved for advanced MTC treatment. However, their efficacy is hindered by evasion mechanisms of tumor cells. Thus, the aim of this study was the identification of an escape mechanism in MTC cells exposed to a highly selective RET TKI. TT cells were treated with TKI, MKI, and/or the HH-Gli inhibitors, GANT61 and Arsenic Trioxide (ATO), in the presence or absence of hypoxia. RET modifications, oncogenic signaling activation, proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. Additionally, cell modifications and HH-Gli activation were also evaluated in pralsetinib-resistant TT cells. Pralsetinib inhibited RET autophosphorylation and RET downstream pathways activation in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Additionally, pralsetinib impaired proliferation, induced the activation of apoptosis and, in hypoxic cells, downregulated HIF-1α. Focusing on escape molecular mechanisms associated with therapy, we observed increased Gli1 levels in a subset of cells. Indeed, pralsetinib stimulated the re-localization of Gli1 into the cell nuclei. Treatment of TT cells with both pralsetinib and ATO resulted in Gli1 down-regulation and impaired cell viability. Moreover, pralsetinib-resistant cells confirmed Gli1 activation and up-regulation of its transcriptionally regulated target genes. Altogether, we showed that pralsetinib impairs MTC cell growth and induces cell death, also in hypoxic conditions. The HH-Gli pathway is a new molecular mechanism of escape to pralsetinib therapy that can be overcome through combined therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Trocchianesi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Citarella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Spinello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Aurelia Rughetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Tanja Milena Autilio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Pecce
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Verrienti
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Catanzaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Khatri U, Dayal N, Hu X, Larocque E, Naganna N, Shen T, Liu X, Holtsberg FW, Aman MJ, Sintim HO, Wu J. Targeting RET Solvent-Front Mutants with Alkynyl Nicotinamide-Based Inhibitors. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:717-725. [PMID: 37070927 PMCID: PMC10239345 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Selpercatinib (LOXO292) and pralsetinib (BLU667) are RET protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) recently approved for treating RET-altered cancers. However, RET mutations that confer selpercatinib/pralsetinib resistance have been identified, necessitating development of next-generation RET TKIs. While acquired RET G810C/R/S/V mutations were reported in selpercatinib-treated patients, it was unclear whether all of these and other potential G810 mutants are resistant to selpercatinib and pralsetinib. Here, we profiled selpercatinib and pralsetinib on all six possible G810 mutants derived from single nucleotide substitution and developed novel alkynyl nicotinamide-based RET TKIs to inhibit selpercatinib/pralsetinib-resistant RET G810 mutants. Surprisingly, the G810V mutant found in a clinical study was not resistant to selpercatinib or pralsetinib. Besides G810C/R/S, G810D also conferred selpercatinib/pralsetinib resistance. Alkynyl nicotinamide compounds such as HSN608, HSL476, and HSL468 have better drug-like properties than alkynyl benzamides. Six of these compounds inhibited all six G810 solvent-front mutants and the V804M gatekeeper mutant with IC50 < 50 nmol/L in cell culture. Oral administration of HSN608 at a well-tolerated dose (30 mg/kg) gave plasma level > 30x the IC50s of inhibiting all G810 mutants in cell culture. In cell-derived xenograft tumors driven by KIF5B-RET (G810C) that contains the most frequently observed solvent-front mutant in selpercatinib-treated patients, HSN608, HSL476, and HSL468 significantly suppressed and caused regression of the selpercatinib-resistant tumors. This study clarifies the sensitivities of different RET solvent-front mutants to selpercatinib and pralsetinib and identifies novel alkylnyl nicotinamide-based RET TKIs for inhibiting selpercatinib/pralsetinib-resistant G810 mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwol Khatri
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Neetu Dayal
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Xueqing Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Elizabeth Larocque
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Nimishetti Naganna
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Tao Shen
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Xuan Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | | | - M. Javad Aman
- KinaRx, Inc., 4 Research Court, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Herman O. Sintim
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Grodzka A, Knopik-Skrocka A, Kowalska K, Kurzawa P, Krzyzaniak M, Stencel K, Bryl M. Molecular alterations of driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer: from diagnostics to targeted therapy. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:415-432. [PMID: 37346803 PMCID: PMC10279966 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death all over the world. The majority (80-85 %) of lung cancer cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Within NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most often recognized. The histological and immunohistochemical examination of NSCLC is a basic diagnostic tool, but insufficient for comprehensive therapeutic decisions. In some NSCLC patients, mainly adenocarcinoma, molecular alterations in driver genes, like EGFR, KRAS, HER2, ALK, MET, BRAF, RET, ROS1, and NTRK are recognized. The frequency of some of those changes is different depending on race, and between smokers and non-smokers. The molecular diagnostics of NSCLC using modern methods, like next-generation sequencing, is essential in estimating targeted, personalized therapy. In recent years, a breakthrough in understanding the importance of molecular studies for the precise treatment of NSCLC has been observed. Many new drugs were approved, including tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Clinical trials testing novel molecules like miRNAs and trials with CAR-T cells (chimeric antigen receptor - T cells) dedicated to NSCLC patients are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grodzka
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Kowalska
- Department of Oncological Pathology, University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Pawel Kurzawa
- Department of Oncological Pathology, University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Monika Krzyzaniak
- Department of Oncological Pathology, University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Stencel
- Department of Clinical Oncology with the Subdepartment of Diurnal Chemotherapy, E. J. Zeyland Wielkopolska Center of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Bryl
- Department of Clinical Oncology with the Subdepartment of Diurnal Chemotherapy, E. J. Zeyland Wielkopolska Center of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Poznan, Poland
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Elisei R, Grande E, Kreissl MC, Leboulleux S, Puri T, Fasnacht N, Capdevila J. Current perspectives on the management of patients with advanced RET-driven thyroid cancer in Europe. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1141314. [PMID: 37207147 PMCID: PMC10189276 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1141314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide with the disease burden in Europe second only to that in Asia. In the last several decades, molecular pathways central to the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer have revealed a spectrum of targetable kinases/kinase receptors and oncogenic drivers characteristic of each histologic subtype, such as differentiated thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid cancer. Oncogenic alterations identified include B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) fusions and mutations, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions, and rearranged during transfection (RET) receptor tyrosine kinase fusion and mutations. Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) targeting RET in addition to multiple other kinases, such as sorafenib, lenvatinib and cabozantinib, have shown favourable activity in advanced radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer or RET-altered medullary thyroid cancer; however, the clinical utility of MKI RET inhibition is limited by off-target toxicity resulting in high rates of dose reduction and drug discontinuation. Newer and selective RET inhibitors, selpercatinib and pralsetinib, have demonstrated potent efficacy and favourable toxicity profiles in clinical trials in the treatment of RET-driven advanced thyroid cancer and are now a therapeutic option in some clinical settings. Importantly, the optimal benefits of available specific targeted treatments for advanced RET-driven thyroid cancer require genetic testing. Prior to the initiation of systemic therapy, and in treatment-naïve patients, RET inhibitors may be offered as first-line therapy if a RET alteration is found, supported by a multidisciplinary team approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrique Grande
- Medical Oncology Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael C. Kreissl
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sophie Leboulleux
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Therapeutic Patient Education, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tarun Puri
- Medical Affairs, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Nicolas Fasnacht
- Medical Affairs, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jaume Capdevila
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), IOBTeknon, Barcelona, Spain
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Hu X, Liu X, Khatri U, Wu J. The heterogeneous transition state of resistance to RET kinase inhibitors converges on ERK1/2-driven Aurora A/B kinases. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100958. [PMID: 36990046 PMCID: PMC10149623 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM While most patients with RET-altered cancer responded to the RET protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) pralsetinib (BLU667) and selpercatinib (LOXO292), few achieved a complete response. Heterogeneity in residual tumors makes it difficult to target their diverse genetic alterations individually. The aim of this study is to characterize the cancer cells that persist under continuous RET TKI treatment and identify the shared vulnerability of these cells. METHODS We analyzed residual RET-altered cancer cells under prolonged RET TKI treatment by whole exome sequencing (WES), RNA-seq analysis, and drug-sensitivity screening. These were followed by tumor xenograft experiments of mono- and combinational drug treatments. RESULTS BLU667- and LOXO292-tolerated persisters were cellularly heterogeneous, contained slowly proliferating cells, regained low levels of active ERK1/2, and displayed plasticity in growth rate, which we designated as in the transition state of resistance (TSR). TSR cells were genetically heterogeneous. Aurora A/B kinases were among the most significantly upregulated genes and that the MAPK pathway activity had significantly higher transcript footprints. MEK1/2 and Aurora kinase inhibitors were the most effective drugs when combined with a RET kinase inhibitor. In a TSR tumor model, combination of BLU667 with an Aurora kinase or a MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor caused TSR tumor regression. CONCLUSION Our experiments reveal that the heterogeneous TSR cancer cells under continuous RET TKI treatment converge on the targetable ERK1/2-driven Aurora A/B kinases. The discovery of the targetable convergent point in the genetically heterogeneous TSR points to an effective combination therapy approach to eliminate the residual tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Hu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Xuan Liu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Ujjwol Khatri
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Hu X, Khatri U, Shen T, Wu J. Progress and challenges in RET-targeted cancer therapy. Front Med 2023; 17:207-219. [PMID: 37131086 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-0985-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The rearranged during transfection (RET) is a receptor protein tyrosine kinase. Oncogenic RET fusions or mutations are found most often in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in thyroid cancer, but also increasingly in various types of cancers at low rates. In the last few years, two potent and selective RET protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), pralsetinib (BLU-667) and selpercatinib (LOXO-292, LY3527723) were developed and received regulatory approval. Although pralsetinib and selpercatinib gave high overall response rates (ORRs), < 10% of patients achieved a complete response (CR). The RET TKI-tolerated residual tumors inevitably develop resistance by secondary target mutations, acquired alternative oncogenes, or MET amplification. RET G810 mutations located at the kinase solvent front site were identified as the major on-target mechanism of acquired resistance to both selpercatinib and pralsetinib. Several next-generation of RET TKIs capable of inhibiting the selpercatinib/pralsetinib-resistant RET mutants have progressed to clinical trials. However, it is likely that new TKI-adapted RET mutations will emerge to cause resistance to these next-generation of RET TKIs. Solving the problem requires a better understanding of the multiple mechanisms that support the RET TKI-tolerated persisters to identify a converging point of vulnerability to devise an effective co-treatment to eliminate the residual tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Hu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Ujjwol Khatri
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Tao Shen
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, and Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Pecar G, Liu S, Hooda J, Atkinson JM, Oesterreich S, Lee AV. RET signaling in breast cancer therapeutic resistance and metastasis. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:26. [PMID: 36918928 PMCID: PMC10015789 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01622-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
RET, a single-pass receptor tyrosine kinase encoded on human chromosome 10, is well known to the field of developmental biology for its role in the ontogenesis of the central and enteric nervous systems and the kidney. In adults, RET alterations have been characterized as drivers of non-small cell lung cancer and multiple neuroendocrine neoplasms. In breast cancer, RET signaling networks have been shown to influence diverse functions including tumor development, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. While RET is known to drive the development and progression of multiple solid tumors, therapeutic agents selectively targeting RET are relatively new, though multiple multi-kinase inhibitors have shown promise as RET inhibitors in the past; further, RET has been historically neglected as a potential therapeutic co-target in endocrine-refractory breast cancers despite mounting evidence for a key pathologic role and repeated description of a bi-directional relationship with the estrogen receptor, the principal driver of most breast tumors. Additionally, the recent discovery of RET enrichment in breast cancer brain metastases suggests a role for RET inhibition specific to advanced disease. This review assesses the status of research on RET in breast cancer and evaluates the therapeutic potential of RET-selective kinase inhibitors across major breast cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Pecar
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, The Assembly, Room 2051, 5051 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Simeng Liu
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jagmohan Hooda
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, The Assembly, Room 2051, 5051 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jennifer M Atkinson
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, The Assembly, Room 2051, 5051 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, The Assembly, Room 2051, 5051 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Adrian V Lee
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, The Assembly, Room 2051, 5051 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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