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