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Larotrectinib Response in NTRK3 Fusion-Driven Diffuse High-Grade Glioma
David König1,2, Jürgen Hench3, Stephan Frank3
1Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Pharmacology
|May 8, 2022
Summary
High-grade glioma (HGG) is a common brain tumor. A patient with HGG and an NTRK3 gene fusion responded exceptionally well to larotrectinib, highlighting the importance of NTRK fusion testing.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular diagnostics
- Cancer therapeutics
Background:
- High-grade glioma (HGG) and glioblastoma are aggressive adult brain tumors with limited treatment options.
- Standard care involves surgery, radiation, and temozolomide chemotherapy.
- Prognosis for HGG remains poor despite current therapeutic strategies.
Observation:
- A case study of an HGG patient with a previously unidentified NTRK3 gene fusion is presented.
- The patient received larotrectinib, a targeted therapy for NTRK fusions.
- An extraordinary clinical response to larotrectinib was observed.
Findings:
- The patient's HGG harbored an NTRK3 fusion, a rare genetic alteration.
- Larotrectinib treatment led to a remarkable and durable response in this patient.
- This case demonstrates the efficacy of TRK inhibitor therapy in NTRK-fusion-positive HGG.
Implications:
- Routine molecular profiling for NTRK gene fusions in HGG is crucial for identifying potential treatment candidates.
- Targeted therapy with larotrectinib offers a promising alternative for HGG patients with specific genetic alterations.
- This finding could expand the utility of NTRK inhibitors beyond their currently approved indications.
