NTRK Gene Fusions in Solid Tumors and TRK Inhibitors: A Systematic Review of Case Reports and Case Series

The approval of larotrectinib and entrectinib for cancer patients harboring an NTRK gene fusion has represented a milestone in the era of histology-agnostic drugs. Among the clinical trials that led to the approval of these two drugs, most of the enrolled patients were affected by soft tissue sarcomas, lung, and salivary gland cancer. However, as next-generation sequencing assays are increasingly available in the clinical setting, health care professionals may be able to detect NTRK gene fusions in patients affected by tumor types under or not represented in the clinical trials. To this aim, we systematically reviewed MEDLINE from its inception to 31 August 2022 for case reports and case series on patients with NTRK gene fusion-positive tumors treated with TRK inhibitors. A virtual cohort of 43 patients was created, excluding those enrolled in the above-mentioned clinical trials. Although our results align with those existing in the literature, various cases of central nervous system tumors were registered in our cohort, confirming the benefit of these agents in this subgroup of patients. Large, multi-institutional registries are needed to provide more information about the efficacy of TRK inhibitors in cancer patients affected by tumor types under or not represented in the clinical trials.

Automated summary

The approval of larotrectinib and entrectinib for cancer patients with NTRK gene fusion marks a milestone in the era of histology-agnostic drugs. With the increasing availability of next-generation sequencing assays in clinical settings, TRK inhibitors may have potential benefits for patients with tumor types not represented in clinical trials.