Cited by 52Lung Cancer Treatments and MutationsCancer Mechanisms and TherapyCancer Genomics and Diagnostics

NVL-520 Is a Selective, TRK-Sparing, and Brain-Penetrant Inhibitor of ROS1 Fusions and Secondary Resistance Mutations

Open access
Drilon, Alexander, Horan, Joshua C., Tangpeerachaikul, Anupong, Besse, Benjamin, Ou, Sai-Hong Ignatius, Gadgeel, Shirish M., Camidge, D. Ross, van der Wekken, Anthonie J. +16 more·2023·Cancer Discovery

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have been approved (crizotinib and entrectinib) or explored (lorlatinib, taletrectinib, and repotrectinib) for the treatment of ROS1 fusion–positive cancers, although none of them simultaneously address the need for broad resistance coverage, avoidance of clinically dose-limiting TRK inhibition, and brain penetration. NVL-520 is a rationally designed macrocycle with >50-fold ROS1 selectivity over 98% of the kinome tested. It is active in vitro against diverse ROS1 fusions and resistance mutations and exhibits 10- to 1,000-fold improved potency for the ROS1 G2032R solvent-front mutation over crizotinib, entrectinib, lorlatinib, taletrectinib, and repotrectinib. In vivo, it induces tumor regression in G2032R-inclusive intracranial and patient-derived xenograft models. Importantly, NVL-520 has an ∼100-fold increased potency for ROS1 and ROS1 G2032R over TRK. As a clinical proof of concept, NVL-520 elicited objective tumor responses in three patients with TKI-refractory ROS1 fusion–positive lung cancers, including two with ROS1 G2032R and one with intracranial metastases, with no observed neurologic toxicities. Significance: The combined preclinical features of NVL-520 that include potent targeting of ROS1 and diverse ROS1 resistance mutations, high selectivity for ROS1 G2032R over TRK, and brain penetration mark the development of a distinct ROS1 TKI with the potential to surpass the limitations of earlier-generation TKIs for ROS1 fusion–positive patients. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 517

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  • ROS1 fusions are rare genetic events reported in multiple solid tumors, including NSCLC, with prevalence 0.9% to 2.6%.

    “These ROS1 fusions are rare genetic events reported in multiple solid tumors, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where the prevalence is 0.9% to 2.6%.1,3-5”

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  1. [28]Li W, Yang N, Ma H, Fan H, Li K, Wu H, The efficacy and safety of taletrectinib in patients with TKI-naïve or crizotinib-pretreated ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). J Clin Oncol. 2022; 40: 8572.

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Authors
Drilon, A., Horan, J. C., Tangpeerachaikul, A., Besse, B., Ou, S.-H. I., Gadgeel, S. M., Camidge, D. R., van der Wekken, A. J., Nguyen-Phuong, L., Acker, A., Keddy, C., Nicholson, K. S., Yoda, S., Mente, S., Sun, Y., Soglia, J. R., Kohl, N. E., Porter, J. R., Shair, M. D., Zhu, V., Davare, M. A., Hata, A. N., Pelish, H. E., & Lin, J. J.
Affiliations
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US)
  • Nuvalent, Inc. (United States) (US)
  • Institut Gustave Roussy (FR)
  • University of California, Irvine Medical Center (US)
  • Henry Ford Health (US)
  • University of Colorado Cancer Center (US)
  • 7University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
  • Oregon Health & Science University (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Pelish, Henry E.
  • Lin, Jessica J.
Venue
Cancer Discovery
Published
2022-12-13
Volume
13
Issue
3
Pages
598-615
ISSN
  • 2159-8274 (ISSN-L)
  • 2159-8290
OpenAlex
W4311280444
Cited by
52
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 8
FWCI
6.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer Discovery (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
National Cancer Institute (R01 CA164273, P30 CA008748)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Lung Cancer Treatments and Mutations
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Cancer Mechanisms and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics
Keywords
ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, brain penetration, crizotinib resistance, brain metastases, patient-derived xenografts, neurotoxicity
MeSH terms
Aminopyridines, Brain, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Humans, Lactams, Lung Neoplasms, Mutation, Protein-Tyrosine Kinases, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Pyrazoles, Lactams, Macrocyclic, Protein Kinase Inhibitors

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