NTRK Therapy among Different Types of Cancers, Review and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (<i>NTRK</i>) has been a remarkable therapeutic target for treating different malignancies, playing an essential role in oncogenic signaling pathways. Groundbreaking trials like NAVIGATE led to the approval of <i>NTRK</i> inhibitors by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat different malignancies, significantly impacting current oncology treatment. Accurate detection of <i>NTRK</i> gene fusion becomes very important for possible targeted therapy. Various methods to detect <i>NTRK</i> gene fusion have been applied widely based on sensitivity, specificity, and accessibility. The utility of different tests in clinical practice is discussed in this study by providing insights into their effectiveness in targeting patients who may benefit from therapy. Widespread use of <i>NTRK</i> inhibitors in different malignancies could remain limited due to resistance mechanisms that cause challenges to medication efficacy in addition to common side effects of the medications. This review provides a succinct overview of the application of <i>NTRK</i> inhibitors in various types of cancer by emphasizing the critical clinical significance of <i>NTRK</i> fusion gene detection. The discussion also provides a solid foundation for understanding the current challenges and potential changes for improving the efficacy of <i>NTRK</i> inhibitor therapy to treat different malignancies.