[ROS1-Translocations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer]

Summary of prevalence, testing and treatment approaches in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ROS1 activation.

Internet-based search for clinical and preclinical studies as well as search for ongoing studies in web-based databases.

ROS1 translocations lead to tyrosine kinase activation and can be detected in 1 - 2% of all NSCLC and in 3 - 6% of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients, respectively, using in situ hybridization techniques. RESULTS from phase I clinical studies using the ROS1 inhibitor crizotinib indicate response rates of 70 - 80% and a median progression-free survival of about 19 months. The therapy was generally well tolerated.

NSCLC harbouring ROS1-translocations can be treated with targeted therapy leading to promising response and survival in patients. Hence, these alterations should be included into current molecular testing panels in stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinomas.