Treating non-small-cell lung cancer with a RET kinase inhibitor, Selpercatinib
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 10th, 2024
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For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without mutation to the EGFR and ALK, the current standard therapy is a combination of pembrolizumab with a platinum-based drug and pemetrexed. However, little is known about its effect on NSCLC cases with mutation to the RET kinase. Selpercatinib is a highly selective RET kinase inhibitor, so a study was conducted to assess its effectiveness in treating non-small-cell lung cancer.
The phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 212 patients who had been diagnosed with unresectable squamous non-small-cell lung cancer which was in stage IIIb, IIIc, and IV. The trial selectively invited patients whose disease was mild to moderate as rated with a score from 0 to 2 using the standard set by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Subsequently, molecular biology testing was performed to characterize alteration to the RET kinase. The patients were randomly assigned to be treated with either 160 mg of Selpercatinib twice daily or the current standard combination therapy of pemetrexed, pembrolizumab, and a platinum-based drug. The researchers concluded that patients treated with Selpercatinib had a 56% lower risk of death or disease progression when compared to the standard therapy group. In addition, Selpercatinib reduced the size of the tumor in 77% of the patients; whereas, the rate of partial response in the control group is only 59%.
The phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 212 patients who had been diagnosed with unresectable squamous non-small-cell lung cancer which was in stage IIIb, IIIc, and IV. The trial selectively invited patients whose disease was mild to moderate as rated with a score from 0 to 2 using the standard set by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Subsequently, molecular biology testing was performed to characterize alteration to the RET kinase. The patients were randomly assigned to be treated with either 160 mg of Selpercatinib twice daily or the current standard combination therapy of pemetrexed, pembrolizumab, and a platinum-based drug. The researchers concluded that patients treated with Selpercatinib had a 56% lower risk of death or disease progression when compared to the standard therapy group. In addition, Selpercatinib reduced the size of the tumor in 77% of the patients; whereas, the rate of partial response in the control group is only 59%.