In November of 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the drug repotrectinib (Augtyro) for treatment against lung cancers with a ROS1 gene fusion. The drug works by inhibiting the activity of the overly active mutant ROS1 fusion protein. In addition to inducing a shrinkage effect on the tumors, repotrectinib is able to target other proteins involved in uncontrolled cancer growth. It’s also found to be effective on lung tumors that have spread to the brain, as a clinical trial found that roughly 89% of those with brain metastases had their tumors shrink. Despite the promising results and the mild side effects, clinical trials involving repotrectinib remain limited as the number of lung cancer patients with a ROS1 gene fusion is relatively small. Nevertheless, the expansion of treatment options for lung cancers continues to develop, with repotrectinib paving the way for future treatments to emerge.
Credits to: Jacob Pan
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