Shengxiang Ren, MD, PhD

Formal discussant, Shengxiang Ren, MD, PhD, of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China, commented on the entrectinib study as well as two potent ROS1 inhibitors in development. “Both entrectinib and lorlatinib could be first-line agents for patients with brain metastases.”

Dr. Ren continued: “Lorlatinib and repotrectinib could potentially overcome resistance to crizotinib (Xalkori), but further study is needed to identify patients who will benefit. However, the newer agents have not yet shown they have better safety profiles than crizotinib. In fact, so far, the adverse-event profiles are not better for entrectinib and lorlatinib than for crizotinib, and we don’t have enough data on repotrectinib. Putting it all together, more randomized trials of novel ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors vs standard of care are needed.” ■

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Ren reported no conflicts of interest.