Response to Cabozantinib in patients with RET fusion-positive lung adenocarcinomas

Cancer Discov. 2013 Jun;3(6):630-5. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-13-0035. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

Abstract

The discovery of RET fusions in lung cancers has uncovered a new therapeutic target for patients whose tumors harbor these changes. In an unselected population of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), RET fusions are present in 1% to 2% of cases. This incidence increases substantially, however, in never-smokers with lung adenocarcinomas that lack other known driver oncogenes. Although preclinical data provide experimental support for the use of RET inhibitors in the treatment of RET fusion-positive tumors, clinical data on response are lacking. We report preliminary data for the first three patients treated with the RET inhibitor cabozantinib on a prospective phase II trial for patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLCs (NCT01639508). Confirmed partial responses were observed in 2 patients, including one harboring a novel TRIM33-RET fusion. A third patient with a KIF5B-RET fusion has had prolonged stable disease approaching 8 months (31 weeks). All three patients remain progression-free on treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / enzymology
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Anilides / adverse effects
  • Anilides / therapeutic use*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Gene Fusion
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / genetics
  • Pyridines / adverse effects
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anilides
  • Pyridines
  • cabozantinib
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • RET protein, human

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01639508