Fusión de NTRK; una nueva diana en oncología

Abstract

Introduction. TRK receptors family comprises three transmembrane proteins encoded by NTRK genes. The TRK pathway has been involved in the pathogenesis of multiple types of cancer. History. The first identification of NTRK1 as an oncogene took place in 1982. In 1989, the DNAc, the NTRK1 proto-oncogen, was isolated. The detection of the fusion of the NTKR gen in tissue or liquid biopsy samples enables the guidance of the election of treatment for certain solid tumors that express it because they have two TRK inhibitors, entrectinib and larotrectinib. There are several methods to detect the presence of the fusion: immunochemistry (IHC); fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) utilizing DNA or RNA. The present review deals with the essential characteristics of these alterations, the therapeutic strategies, and their clinical evidence. Conclusions. NTRK fusion is present in multiple types of malignant neoplasms; thus, it has been considered a new therapeutic target. Lately, FDA has approved two new TRK inhibitors (entrectinib and larotrectinib) with an acceptable toxicity profile.