ROS1 fusions in Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
• Identifying specific molecular alterations, such as ROS1 fusions, is crucial for targeted therapy and improved patient outcomes in NSCLC.
• Understanding the prevalence and clinical significance of ROS1 fusions in diverse populations, like Chinese patients, is essential for personalized medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of ROS1 fusions in Chinese patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• To investigate the clinicopathological features associated with ROS1 fusions in this patient cohort.
• To analyze the prognostic impact of ROS1 fusion status on patient survival.

Main Methods:

• Screening of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections from 392 NSCLC patients for ROS1 fusions using multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
• Validation of all identified ROS1 fusions through direct sequencing.
• Statistical analysis to correlate ROS1 fusion status with clinicopathological features and survival outcomes.

Main Results:

• ROS1 fusions were detected in 8 out of 392 (2.0%) evaluable Chinese NSCLC samples.
• ROS1-positive cases included six adenocarcinomas and one adenosquamous carcinoma; no specific clinicopathological features (age, sex, smoking history, histology, stage) were significantly associated with ROS1 fusions.
• Patients with ROS1 fusion-negative NSCLC demonstrated significantly longer survival compared to ROS1 fusion-positive patients (P = 0.041), with lower pathological stage, younger age, and ROS1 fusion-negative status being favorable prognostic indicators on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• ROS1 fusions occur in approximately 2.0% of Chinese NSCLC patients and lack distinct clinicopathological associations.
• The presence of a ROS1 fusion may be associated with a poorer prognosis in NSCLC patients.
• ROS1 fusion status is an important prognostic factor in NSCLC, suggesting potential therapeutic implications.