Selpercatinib in RET-fusion positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: achievements and gray areas

Introduction Selpercatinib is a RET selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor with nanomolar potency against diverse RET alterations, including fusions, activating point mutations, and acquired resistance mutations. Rearranged during transfection (RET) gene is a validated target in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Selpercatinib is currently approved for adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC. Areas covered This review summarizes the efficacy and safety data of selpercatinib in the treatment landscape of RET fusion-positive NSCLC. Expert opinion Globally considered, selpercatinib is an optimal treatment choice, in terms of both (systemic and intracranial) efficacy and safety, in patients affected by advanced NSCLC harboring RET fusions as a driver mechanism. Future challenges include the identification of the most appropriate placement for selpercatinib in the treatment algorithm of RET fusion-positive NSCLC (including early stages), the clarification of resistance mechanisms, as well as of its role in EGFR-mutant NSCLC undergoing progression during osimertinib driven by RET alterations.