Taletrectinib for treating advanced ROS1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer

Taletrectinib is currently in clinical development for the treatment of advanced ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. Advanced cancer includes metastatic cancer and means that the cancer has spread and cannot usually be cured, but treatment may help to control the cancer, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life for some time. Someone with ROS1-positive NSCLC has alterations to the ROS1 gene, which is known to control cell growth. ROS1-positive lung cancer tends to be aggressive and can spread to the brain and the bones, which can lead to increased mortality. Signs are often less obvious than with other forms of lung cancer, but may include a chronic cough, bloody sputum and shortness of breath. Current treatment options tend to cause acquired resistant mutations, which make the treatment of ROS1-positive lung cancers more challenging.