About ROS1+ NSCLC
What is ROS1+ NSCLC?
NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) is the most common type of lung cancer. ROS1+ NSCLC is a rare type of cancer in which the cells have an abnormal change, often called a “fusion,” in a gene called ROS1. Identifying an abnormal ROS1 gene may make you a candidate for targeted therapies.
What is a ROS1 biomarker?
If you have already been treated for NSCLC, you may be familiar with biomarkers. Cancer biomarkers are proteins and genes found in cancer cells that can be tested to provide important details about a person’s cancer. By identifying biomarkers, doctors can prescribe medications that target cancer cells in a person’s body.
Approximately 1%–2% of people with NSCLC have a fusion in the ROS1 gene. Anyone can have a ROS1 fusion, but women are slightly more likely than men to have one.
People with ROS1 fusions are often:
- Younger patients (around 50 years old)
- People who never smoked
How do doctors test for ROS1 fusions?
Doctors usually test for ROS1 fusions using either a blood sample or a sample of tissue taken from the biopsy that may have been used to diagnose the cancer.
Testing for ROS1 fusions is recommended for everyone with lung cancer. This is part of the lung cancer comprehensive testing panel.
How does ROS1+ NSCLC spread?
ROS1+ NSCLC may spread through the body in the following ways:
Growing into tissues and organs around the lungs. As it progresses, it may spread to other organs
Spreading into the arteries, veins, and capillaries, which move blood throughout your body
Spreading into the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system
Through these systems, cancer can spread to other organs. One of the most common places NSCLC spreads to is the brain. When cancer cells spread from the lungs to the brain, they form what are called brain metastases, or brain mets. As they grow, they can put pressure on the brain and change the surrounding brain tissue.
People who have ROS1+ NSCLC that has spread to the brain may experience the following symptoms:
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
- Limb weakness
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Seizures
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
What is ROS1-targeted therapy?
ROS1-targeted therapy is medication designed to target cancer cells that have ROS1 fusions. When a ROS1-targeted therapy avoids healthy cells, some people may experience fewer side effects as a result.
What to look for in a ROS1+ NSCLC treatment
An effective, targeted therapy that addresses the challenges of your disease is important. Consider your treatment goals when evaluating therapy options and when discussing a care plan with your doctor.
Things to consider:
Does the treatment target ROS1 and shrink cancer if it has spread to the brain or elsewhere in the body?
Has the treatment been shown to work for people who already received prior ROS1-targeted therapies?
Is the treatment tolerable, with side effects you can manage throughout the course of therapy?
Discover the results for adults who received JIDEYTRO in a clinical trial.
What is JIDEYTRO?
Learn about JIDEYTRO, a treatment for people with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC who have received a prior ROS1-targeted therapy.
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ROS1+=ROS proto-oncogene 1-positive.