NTRK (Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase) is a gene found in cells that is important for cell growth and survival.

In some people, the NTRK gene joins or fuses with a different gene, and the cells begin to grow out of control, causing cancer. When this happens in the lung,it’s called NTRK-positive or NTRK+ lung cancer.

NTRK-positive lung cancer can be found through biomarker testing. Biomarker testing tells your healthcare team what mutations or changes cancer cells have, and your results can help guide your healthcare team to the best treatment for you. People with stages 1B through 4B (IB through IVB) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) should ask for comprehensive biomarker testing because it looks for all known biomarkers instead of just a few.

There are 3 different types of NTRK genes called NTRK 1, 2, and 3. NTRK-positive lung cancer is diagnosed when any of these genes are fused or joined to another gene. Currently, all NTRK-positive lung cancers are treated with the same targeted therapy drug options, regardless of the specific type of change in NTRK.

• It occurs in about 1 out of every 100 cases (1%) of lung cancer.
• Current research suggests that there are no specific factors that make having an NTRK mutation more or less likely. This highlights the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing for all people with NSCLC.

If your biomarker testing finds that you have a change in the NTRK gene, you will most likely be given a type of treatment known as a targeted therapy. Targeted therapies are a special type of drug that can "target" cancer cells based on what makes them different from healthy cells. Because of this, healthy cells in the body are often not affected by targeted therapies, resulting in fewer side effects.

Most targeted therapy treatments are pills, but a few are given through an IV or a port (a small tube inserted in a vein). The drug names that end in -ib are pills and can be taken at home. The drug names that end in -mab are given through an IV at a cancer center.

Below is a list of targeted therapy drugs that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with NSCLC NTRK fusions. The FDA approves each drug for use in NSCLC at specific stages of the disease.

Everyone is different, and the side effects you may have while receiving treatment can vary. Some people experience side effects, while others don’t. Ask a member of your healthcare team about the possible side effects of your treatment and when to seek medical attention.