NTRK gene fusion adoption readiness in 3 European countries

Neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are seen in a few rare cancer types and occur infrequently in some common cancers. Accurate identification of NTRK fusion-driven cancer has become clinically important due to recent FDA and EMA drug approvals that will render NTRK inhibitors available in the near future in the European markets.

Different methodologies (ie, NGS [next-generation sequencing], IHC [immunohistochemistry], PCR [polymerase chain reaction], FISH [fluorescence in situ hybridization]) can be used to detect NTRK gene fusions with different advantages and disadvantages in terms of resource efficiency, turnaround time, sensitivity, and specificity. To determine real-world laboratory readiness for NTRK adoption, we investigated current developments in methodologies for identifying NTRK fusions, used by 83 laboratories in EU3 (France, Spain, and Italy).