Mechanisms of targeted therapy resistance in a pediatric glioma driven by ETV6-NTRK3 fusion

Chromosomal rearrangements of the NTRK genes generate kinase fusions that are targetable oncogenic drivers in diverse adult and pediatric malignancies. Despite robust clinical response to targeted NTRK inhibition, the emergence of therapeutic resistance poses a formidable clinical challenge. Here we report the characterization of an ETV6-NTRK3 fusion-driven pediatric glioma that progressed through NTRK-targeted treatments with entrectinib and selitrectinib. Genetic analysis of multifocal recurrent/resistant lesions identified a previously uncharacterized NTRK3 p.G623A and a known p.6623E resistance mutation, in addition to other alterations of potential pathogenic impact. Functional studies using heterologous reconstitution model systems and patient-derived tumor cell lines establish that NTRK3(G623A) and NTRK3(G623E) mutated kinases exhibit reduced sensitivity to entrectinib and selitrectinib, as well as other NTRK inhibitors tested herein. In summary, this genetic analysis of multifocal recurrent/resistant glioma driven by ETV6-NTRK3 fusion captured a cross section of resistance-associated alterations that, based on in vitro analysis, likely contributed to resistance to targeted therapy and disease progression.

Automated summary

Chromosomal rearrangements of NTRK genes generate kinase fusions used in targeted therapies for various malignancies, but therapeutic resistance presents a challenge. Genetic analysis of a pediatric glioma with ETV6-NTRK3 fusion revealed new and known resistance mutations, indicating potential mechanisms contributing to resistance.