Care should be taken to ensure that the diagnostic strategy for a recently diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer includes NTRK fusion testing. RNA sequencing is the gold standard method of detection of NTRK fusion; however, pan-TRK immunohistochemistry could be used as a screening method with good sensitivity. Larotrectinib and entrectinib are approved therapies for TRK fusion-positive lung cancers as first or subsequent lines of therapy. TRK inhibition has demonstrated clinically meaningful, deep, and durable systemic and central nervous system responses. Larotrectinib and entrectinib have a manageable safety profile, including some TRK-related adverse events, such as dizziness and weight gain. At disease progression on first-generation TRK inhibitors, enrollment on a clinical trial should be encouraged, as new-generation TRK inhibitors are being tested.
Keywords: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer; NTRK fusion; Precision oncology; TRK inhibitors; Targeted therapy.