Emerging Biomarkers: Innovative Therapies for NTRK Gene Fusion Testing

Through broad molecular testing, cancer care providers can match cancer treatments to the specific genomic alterations driving tumors in many patients, allowing for more informed treatment decisions. One such molecular test is for Neurotrophic Tropomyosin-Related Kinase (NTRK) gene fusions.

A gene fusion occurs when a hybrid gene is formed from two genes that are normally separate. NTRK gene fusions lead to abnormal proteins called TRK fusion proteins, which may cause cancer cells to grow. NTRK gene fusions may be found in cancers of the brain, head and neck, thyroid, soft tissue, lung, and colon. Knowing whether a patient has an NTRK gene fusion can help providers determine the likely response of individual patients to treatment with TRK inhibitors.

But not all cancer programs and practices have access to this testing, particularly lower-resourced community and rural cancer programs. Providers in these practices do not often see rare cancers (like the ones indicated by NTRK gene fusions), and many do not possess the capabilities required for molecular testing, creating additional obstacles to the care of their often-disadvantaged patients.  This project focused on the needs of the medically underserved (i.e., low-income patients and minority populations), who often face the greatest challenges in accessing critical early detection services.

Emerging Biomarkers: Innovative Therapies for Rare Disease – A Spotlight on NTRK Gene Fusion Testing addressed the barriers to optimal care for patients with TRK fusion-positive cancers by:

• Increasing the knowledge and awareness of TRK gene fusion-driven cancers
• Integrating guideline-concordant biomarker testing, inclusive of TRK gene fusion status, into the workflow for eligible patients
• Reinforcing the importance of earlier testing for all eligible patients
• Evaluating identified barriers and potential solutions and best practices to integrate TRK gene fusion testing into community-based oncology programs and practices
• Exploring biomarker testing access and equitable care challenges for underserved populations
• Creating individualized treatment plans based on comprehensive biomarker testing results
• Highlighting the importance of shared decision-making for medically underserved patients

For more information on this project, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.

Focus Group Summary Report: A Spotlight on NTRK Gene Fusion Testing

Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions can present in multiple tumor types, yet many providers in community and rural practices may not have the resources to access and interpret molecular testing. This is yet another hurdle in the identification and treatment of rare cancers and can create disparities in timely and equitable testing for patients. To explore these barriers further and identify practical solutions for integrating NTRK gene fusion testing into practice, ACCC conducted focus groups with members of multidisciplinary cancer care teams from oncology programs around the country and shares highlights in this Summary Report.
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