A Retrospective, Multicenter Analysis Within the National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer in Germany to Detect RET Fusions as a Possible Mechanism of Resistance in Patients With EGFR Mutations.

BACKGROUND

Resistance to third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as osimertinib remains a major challenge in the treatment of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While on-target and bypass mechanisms such as MET amplification are well-characterized, oncogenic fusions-particularly RET fusions-are emerging as relevant resistance mechanisms in a subset of patients. The feasibility of dual inhibition strategies and personalized monitoring through liquid biopsy remains underexplored in real-world clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective, multicenter study within the German national Network Genomic Medicine (nNGM) Lung Cancer identified patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC and co-occurring RET fusions between 2018 and 2024. Clinicopathological data, treatment history, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RET alterations were either present at diagnosis or acquired under EGFR-TKI therapy. In 2 patients, a personalized droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was developed to monitor EGFR and RET alterations longitudinally using liquid biopsy.

RESULTS

Nine patients met the inclusion criteria (median age: 54 years). RET fusions were detected at diagnosis in 2 patients and acquired in 7 patients during EGFR-TKI treatment, with a median time to detection of 11.4 months. RET fusion partners included CCDC6 (n = 4), KIF5B (n = 2), NCOA4 (n = 2), and one case with an unknown partner. The most common EGFR mutation was exon 19 deletion (n = 6), followed by L858R mutation (n = 1), with 2 patients harboring exon 20 insertions. First-line treatment consisted of RET inhibition with pralsetinib in the 2 patients with atypical EGFR mutations, third-generation EGFR-TKIs in 6 patients (median PFS: 13.5 ± 9.2 months), and a second-generation EGFR-TKI (afatinib) in one patient (PFS: 8.7 months). Following progression, all patients underwent re-biopsy, confirming persistence of the EGFR mutation and presence of RET fusions. Second-line therapies varied, including chemo-immunotherapy (n = 4, mPFS: 6.5 ± 2.5 months), chemotherapy (n = 1, PFS: 0.3 months), and best supportive care (n = 1). Three patients received the combined EGFR-TKI osimertinib and RET-TKI pralsetinib either in second- or third-line, with PFS ranging from 3.9 to 10.5 months. Median OS for the cohort was 27 months (range: 7 to >30 months), with 4 patients still alive at last follow-up. In 2 patients, a personalized ddPCR assay enabled non-invasive, longitudinal monitoring of EGFR and RET alterations, closely reflecting the clinical course of disease. In 1 patient, molecular recurrence in liquid biopsy preceded clinical and radiologic progression, underscoring the potential of this approach for early detection of therapeutic resistance.

CONCLUSION

RET fusions represent a rare mechanism of acquired resistance in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Combined RET and EGFR inhibition may offer clinical benefit, particularly in patients with co-occurring alterations. Personalized ddPCR-based liquid biopsy is a promising tool for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of treatment response and resistance evolution.