Selpercatinib Aimed at RET-Altered Cancers

This editorial highlights the efficacy of selpercatinib, a highly selective RET inhibitor, in treating RET-altered cancers, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical trials reported response rates of 69-73% in RET mutated MTC (both treatment-naive and pretreated patients) and 64-85% in RET fusion positive NSCLC, with durable responses and minimal adverse effects. The drug’s precision contrasts with older multikinase inhibitors (e.g., vandetanib, cabozantinib), which have off-target toxicity. The findings underscore the importance of molecular screening for RET alterations (found in 2% of cancers) and position selpercatinib as a paradigm for tissue-agnostic, genomics driven oncology.

This editorial highlights the efficacy of selpercatinib, a highly selective RET inhibitor, in treating RET-altered cancers, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical trials reported response rates of 69-73% in RET mutated MTC (both treatment-naive and pretreated patients) and 64-85% in RET fusion positive NSCLC, with durable responses and minimal adverse effects. The drug’s precision contrasts with older multikinase inhibitors (e.g., vandetanib, cabozantinib), which have off-target toxicity. The findings underscore the importance of molecular screening for RET alterations (found in 2% of cancers) and position selpercatinib as a paradigm for tissue-agnostic, genomics driven oncology.