Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026
Oncogenic Gene Fusion Detection Using Anchored Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Followed by Next Generation Sequencing
Published on: July 5, 2019
Targeting fusions for improved outcomes in oncology treatment
Mina Nikanjam1, Ryosuke Okamura1, Donald A Barkauskas2
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California.
Background:
Fusions are increasingly pursued as oncology therapeutic targets. The current study evaluated differences in outcomes for fusion versus nonfusion targets.
Methods:
Outcomes were compared for patients with fusions versus those with other alterations for US Food and Drug Administration-approved single agents (from package inserts) and for patients treated at the University of California at San Diego.
Results:
A total of 28 drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (6189 patients) were included in the analysis. The median response rate was 68% versus 50% for fusions versus nonfusion matches (odds ratio [OR], 1.67; P < .0001); solid tumor therapies had an OR of 2.07 (P < .0001) and hematologic therapies had an OR of 3.35 (P < .0001) for fusion versus nonfusion targets. The University of California at San Diego analysis included 79 patients in whom fusions were treated of the 2455 patients screened. Patients matched to fusions were found to have a longer median progression-free survival (PFS) (11.6 months; 95% CI, 4.0-35.4 months) compared with those unmatched to fusions (4.9 months; 95% CI, 3.5-8.8 months) (P = .034). Patients with fusions matched to other alterations present in the tumor had a median PFS that was indistinguishable from that of those patients with fusions who were treated with unmatched therapy (4.0 months vs 5.0 months; P = .75).
Conclusions:
Significantly higher response rates and a longer PFS were observed when targeting fusions compared with nonfusions. The observations reported in the current study suggest that fusions are important targets and that additional studies are needed to confirm that optimized therapy may require targeting fusions, even in the presence of other alterations.
Insights
Targeting gene fusions in cancer therapy significantly improves response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to non-fusion targets. These findings highlight fusions as crucial therapeutic targets for optimized oncology treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gene fusions are increasingly recognized as critical targets in cancer therapy.
- Understanding the therapeutic outcomes associated with targeting gene fusions versus non-fusion alterations is essential for advancing precision oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare treatment outcomes for patients with fusion targets versus those with non-fusion targets.
- To assess the efficacy of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved single agents in patients with fusion-positive cancers.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 6189 patients treated with 28 FDA-approved drugs was conducted.
- Outcomes were compared between patients with fusion targets and those with other genetic alterations.
- A separate analysis included 79 patients with fusions treated at the University of California at San Diego.
Main Results:
- Patients with fusion targets showed significantly higher response rates (68% vs. 50%) compared to non-fusion targets (odds ratio [OR], 1.67; P < .0001).
- Solid tumor therapies had an OR of 2.07 (P < .0001) and hematologic therapies had an OR of 3.35 (P < .0001) for fusion targets.
- Median progression-free survival (PFS) was longer for patients matched to fusions (11.6 months) versus unmatched (4.9 months) (P = .034).
Conclusions:
- Targeting gene fusions demonstrates significantly higher response rates and improved PFS compared to non-fusion targets.
- Fusions represent important therapeutic targets in oncology.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the necessity of targeting fusions for optimized cancer therapy, even when other alterations are present.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...