Posted by Michael Wonder on 16 Jan 2020
Larotrectinib in tumours with NTRK gene fusion: data are not yet sufficient for derivation of an added benefit
15 January 2020 - First assessment of a histology-independent drug/studies without control arms.
In the summer of 2019, larotrectinib was approved as the first drug in Europe to be used in numerous different solid tumours if the tumour tissue displays a so-called NTRK gene fusion.
Since such a fusion of a Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase gene with another gene leads to increased proliferation of the tumour cells, the aim is to selectively block the corresponding signal pathway. The new inhibitor was approved for cases in which the disease is locally advanced or metastatic and there are no other satisfactory treatment options.
