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Besse, Benjamin

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5090-8189

Mayo Clinic

Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Paris-Saclay University , Villejuif,

Citations 7

Characterization and clinical management of adverse events following treatment with repotrectinib: a TRIDENT-1 analysis
Drilon, Alexander E., Cho, B , Camidge, D Ross, Nagasaka, Misako, Besse, Benjamin, Solomon, B, Goto, Koichi , Wolf, Jürgen, Popat, Sanjay , Felip, Enriqueta, Yang, Nong, Langen, A. de, Lu, Shun, Velcheti, Vamsidhar, Lin, Andrew , Calvet, C. , Tschaika, Marina, Afsar, Salman, Yang, Haisu, Lin, Jessica J., Solomon, Benjamin , Cho, Byoung Chul , Besse, Benjamin , Drilon, Alexander , Langen, Adrianus J. de , Drilon, Alexander , Nagasaka, Misako , Besse, Benjamin , de Langen, Adrianus Johannes , Lin, Andrew L , Popat, Sanjay , Solomon, Benjamin J , Camidge, David Ross , Wolf, Jürgen , Felip, Enriqueta , Yang, Nong, Velcheti, Vamsidhar , Afsar, Salman

The Oncologist | April 14, 2026 | Volume: 31 | Issue: 6 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/oncolo/oyag137 Get It

Abstract Background Repotrectinib, a next-generation ROS1/TRK tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is approved for ROS1 fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer and NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors. Its side effects and safety management strategies require further characterization. Patients and Methods The safety profile of repotrectinib (treatment-emergent/related adverse events [TEAEs/TRAEs]) was established in patients who initiated treatment at the recommended dose (160 mg daily [QD] for 14 days, then 160 mg twice daily [BID]) across all cohorts of the global, multicenter phase 1/2 TRIDENT-1 study. AE management strategies were outlined. Results In 472 patients, the most common TRAEs (dizziness [58%] and dysgeusia [50%]) were likely TRK inhibition-related. Median relative dose intensity was 90%; 14% (n = 66/472) of patients did not increase their initial QD dose to BID (mostly due to CNS AEs). Rates of dizziness (median onset, 7 days) were similar in patients with/without baseline brain metastases. Dose modifications downgraded severity or resolved dizziness in 78% of patients; 58% of patients had pharmacologic intervention without dose modification. Dizziness was downgraded/resolved in 62% (n = 120/195) of patients who did not receive dose modification or pharmacologic intervention. Treatment-related cognitive impairment and weight gain occurred in 19% and 12% of patients, respectively. Treatment-emergent withdrawal pain occurred in 14% of patients (median resolution time, 2.1 weeks). Dose interruption and reduction from TRAEs occurred in 39% and 38% of patients, respectively; 10% reported later re-escalation back to 160 mg BID. Conclusion Many repotrectinib AEs, including neurological AEs secondary to TRK inhibition, were mitigated with appropriate management, including dose modification and/or pharmacologic intervention.
Retreatment with First-Generation Selective RET Inhibitors in RET -Rearranged NSCLC Pretreated with Selpercatinib or Pralsetinib: Results from the RET-MAP Registry
Marinello, A., Rotow, Julia K., Lomibao, Meghanne , Miliziano, Daniela , Leporati, Rita , Feng, Jamie , Metro, Giulio , Brandão, Mariana , Gorría, Teresa , Nassar, Amin H. , Fila, Matteo, Fallet, V., Ricciuti, Biagio, Taylor, Skyler, Remon, Jordi, Planchard, David, Florez, Narjust, Besse, Benjamin, Drilon, Alexander D., Aldea, Mihaela, Nassar, Amin H. , Rotow, Julia , Metro, Giulio , Marinello, Arianna , Marinello, Arianna , Rotow, Julia K. , Citarella, Fabrizio , Fila, Matteo , Fallet, Vincent , Ricciuti, Biagio , Taylor, Skyler , Remon, Jordi , Planchard, David , Duma, Narjust , Besse, Benjamin , Drilon, Alexander , Aldea, Mihaela , Feng, Jamie , Citarella, Fabrizio , Ricciuti, Biagio , Planchard, David , Florez, Narjust , Besse, Benjamin , Aldea, Mihaela

Clinical Cancer Research | April 7, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 13 | Pages: 2637-2643

10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-25-4814 Get It

Abstract Purpose: In RET-rearranged non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treatment options after first-generation selective RET inhibitors (SRI) are limited, and the value of SRI retreatment remains unclear. This study evaluates outcomes of SRI retreatment. Experimental Design: This multicenter retrospective study included patients with advanced RET-rearranged NSCLC who received ≥2 SRI-based therapy lines. Of 411 SRI-treated patients, 41 (10%) underwent SRI retreatment. Outcomes included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), 6-month PFS, time to treatment failure, adverse events (AE). Results: Among 41 patients, 14 (34%) discontinued the initial SRI because of toxicity and 27 (66%) because of progression. After discontinuation for toxicity, all switched to an alternate SRI, achieving an ORR of 67%, median PFS of 9.9 months, and 6-month PFS of 80.3%. AEs reoccurred in nine patients (64%), with grade ≥3 AEs in 3 (21%) who switched at full dose. Among patients who discontinued because of progression, SRI monotherapy (n = 13) achieved an ORR of 23%, median PFS of 7 months, and 6-month PFS of 61.5%. Benefit was observed in patients with brain-only or oligoprogressive disease or dose reduction on first SRI. Combination therapy (n = 14; targeted agents, n = 11; chemotherapy, n = 3) achieved an ORR of 39%, median PFS of 4 months, and 6-month PFS of 27.3%. Conclusions: Same-class SRI switch after toxicity is feasible and clinically active but warrants cautious, dose-adjusted switching to mitigate toxicities. The efficacy of SRI rechallenge after progression seems limited overall. However, selected patients, such as those with brain-only or oligoprogressive disease, may derive benefit.
Final Efficacy and Safety Data From the Phase I/II ARROW Study of Pralsetinib in Patients With Advanced RET Fusion–Positive Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Besse, Benjamin, Subbiah, Vivek, Curigliano, G., Bowles, Daniel W. , Doebele, Robert C. , Mansfield, Aaron S. , Baik, Christina S. , Lopes, Gilberto , Paz-Ares, Luis , Taylor, Matthew H. , Tan, Daniel S.W., Alonso, G. , Gadgeel, Shirish M., Kalemkerian, Gregory P. , Ou, S.-H.I., Wekken, Anthonie J. van der , Becerra, Carlos R., Evangelist, Makenzi Colleen, Griesinger, Frank, Lou, Yanyan , Mazières, Julien, Melear, Jason M., Narang, Mohit , Saxena, Ashish, Thomas, Michael, Thomassen, Amber , Lee, Dae Ho, Kim, Dong-Wan, Gainor, Justin F., Subbiah, Vivek , Besse, Benjamin , Besse, Benjamin , Subbiah, Vivek , Curigliano, Giuseppe , Tan, Daniel S W , Gadgeel, Shirish , Ou, Sai-Hong I , van der Wekken, Anthonie J , Liu, Stephen V , Lou, Yanyan , Mazières, Julien , Melear, Jason M , Narang, Mohit , Thomas, Michael , Lee, Dae Ho , Kim, Dong-Wan , Gainor, Justin F , Mansfield, Aaron S , Bowles, Daniel W , Curigliano, Giuseppe , Paz‐Ares, Luis , Gadgeel, Shirish M. , Griesinger, Frank , Liu, Stephen V. , Saxena, Ashish , Thomas, Michael , Wang, Sophia Y. , Kim, Dong‐Wan , Gainor, Justin F. , Taylor, Matthew H.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 26, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 13 | Pages: 1190-1197

10.1200/jco-25-01489 Get It

RET fusions appear in 1%-2% of non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). The results from the ARROW study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03037385 ) supported US Food and Drug Administration approval of pralsetinib, an oral selective RET inhibitor, for metastatic RET -altered NSCLC and RET fusion–positive thyroid cancers. ARROW was a phase I/II open-label study of pralsetinib 400 mg once daily in RET fusion–positive NSCLCs. Coprimary end points were overall response rate (ORR) and safety. Key secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). At data lock (May 20, 2024), 281 patients initiated pralsetinib (median treatment duration, 15.0 months). ORR (measurable disease patients; n = 259) was 78% (95% CI, 69 to 86) for treatment-naïve patients and 63% (95% CI, 54 to 71) for prior platinum-based chemotherapy patients. Median OS was 44.3 months (95% CI, 30.9 to 53.1), 50.1 months (95% CI, 28.3 to not reached) in treatment-naïve patients, and 39.7 months (95% CI, 27.8 to 53.2) in prior platinum patients. Common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were anemia (21%), hypertension (15%), and decreased neutrophils (13%). Three treatment-related deaths occurred (pneumonia, n = 2; interstitial lung disease and rhabdomyolysis, n = 1 each). Safety was consistent with previous ARROW reports; no hypersensitivity was reported in patients receiving prior immunotherapies. Pralsetinib produced robust, durable responses with manageable safety in treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with RET fusion–positive NSCLCs, confirming previous findings with longer follow-up.
Efficacy and safety of pralsetinib in patients with advanced RET -fusion-positive NSCLC: Final data from the phase 1/2 ARROW study.
Lopes, Gilberto , Gainor, Justin F. , Doebele, Robert C. , Baik, Christina S. , Kalemkerian, Gregory P. , Becerra, Carlos, Evangelist, Makenzi Colleen, Melear, Jason M., Saxena, Ashish , Thomassen, Amber , Wang, Sophia , Subbiah, Vivek , Bowles, Daniel W. , Mansfield, Aaron S. , Gadgeel, Shirish M. , Ou, Sai‐Hong Ignatius , Liu, Stephen V. , Besse, Benjamin

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 8644-8644

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.8644 Get It

8644 Background: RET fusions are targetable oncogenic drivers in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). ARROW (NCT03037385) study results (final data lock May 20, 2024) supported the US FDA approval of pralsetinib, a highly potent, oral, selective RET inhibitor for metastatic RET -altered NSCLC. Here, we present final study results. Methods: ARROW was a phase 1/2 open-label study conducted at 84 sites in 13 countries. Phase 2 included patients with RET -fusion-positive NSCLC who received 400 mg pralsetinib once daily (QD). Initially, treatment-naïve patients were not candidates for platinum-based therapy and presented with several unfavorable prognostic factors; this requirement was removed by protocol amendment in July 2019. Primary objectives were overall response rate (ORR, per RECIST v1.1) and safety. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are reported in the full efficacy population; the measurable disease population (MDP) was the primary analysis population for ORR and duration of response (DOR). Results: 281 patients with RET -fusion-positive NSCLC received pralsetinib 400 mg QD, with a median duration of treatment of 14.95 months (mos). Median age was 60 years; 46% were male. In the MDP (n=259), ORR was 70.3% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 64.3, 75.8) and median DOR was 19.1 mos (95% CI: 14.5, 27.9; Table). In the efficacy population (N=281), median OS was 44.3 mos (95% CI: 30.9, 53.1) with median follow up of 47.6 mos (95% CI: 44.8, 49.2), and median PFS was 13.1 mos (95% CI: 11.4, 16.8). ORR (Table) and median PFS were markedly higher in the US (25.9 mos, n=64) vs. Asia (12.6 mos, n=122) or Europe (12.9 mos, n=95). In the safety population, 95% of patients experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs); 66% experienced ≥grade 3. Common TRAEs included increased AST (n=128 [46%]), anemia (n=121 [43%]), increased ALT (n=98 [35%]), and hypertension (n=77 [27%]). 3 patients died due to TRAEs (pneumonia, n=2; interstitial lung disease and rhabdomyolysis, n=1 each). No new safety signals were identified with this update. Conclusions: Pralsetinib produced clinically meaningful and durable responses in patients with RET -fusion-positive NSCLC (regardless of prior therapies) with a manageable safety profile, confirming with this longer follow up previously published results. Clinical trial information: NCT03037385 . All MDP(n=259) Prior Platinum (n=130) Treatment-naive(n=106) ORR, % (95% CI) Overall 70.3(64.3, 75.8) 63.1(54.2, 71.4) 78.3(69.2, 85.7) US (n=58)77.6(64.7, 87.5) (n=31)64.5(45.4, 80.8) (n=19)100(82.4, 100) Europe (n=89)65.2(54.3, 75) (n=36)63.9(46.2, 79.2) (n=43)65.1(49.1, 79) Asia (n=112)70.5(61.2, 78.8) (n=63)61.9(48.8, 73.9) (n=44)81.8(67.3, 91.8) Median DOR, mos (95% CI) a (n=182)19.1(14.5, 27.9) (n=82)31.8(15.1, 40.4) (n=83)13.4(9.4, 21.7) Median DOR follow up, mos (95% CI) 46.8(42.3, 50.2) 50.3(46.9, 56.8) 42.3(37.4, 44.2) a Per FDA censoring rule.
Antitumor Activity of Vebreltinib and Characterization of Clinicogenomic Features in Solid Tumors with MET Rearrangements
Nakazawa, Seshiru , Pecci, Federica , Odintsov, Igor , Gazgalis, Dimitris , Gottlieb, Felix H. , Ricciuti, Biagio , Zullo, Lodovica , Alessi, Joao V. , Federico, Alessandro Di , Aldea, Mihaela , Garbo, Edoardo , Saini, Arushi , Jiang, Jie , Baldacci, Simon , Makarem, Maisam , Locquet, Marie-Anaïs , Haradon, Danielle , Italiano, Antoîne , Lavaud, Pernelle , Vasseur, Damien , Planchard, David , Watanabe, Y., Mahran, Hoda A., Niu, Jiaxin , Swan, Leong Swan, Tay, Kevin , Kizilbash, Sani H. , Yu, Kin-Hung P. , Zhang, Xiaoling , Chen, Pan , Sangem, Mythili, Che, Jianwei , Sholl, Lynette M. , Jänne, Pasi A. , Di Federico, Alessandro , Gandhi, Malini M , Saini, Arushi , Feng, William W , Jiang, Jie , Baldacci, Simon , Facchinetti, Francesco , Makarem, Maisam , Locquet, Marie-Anaïs , Haratani, Koji , Haradon, Danielle , Besse, Benjamin , Italiano, Antoine , Remon, Jordi , Lavaud, Pernelle , Vasseur, Damien , Planchard, David , Sato, Yusuke , Watanabe, Yukako , Owen, Scott , Cortot, Alexis B , Mahran, Hoda , Forster, Martin D , Niu, Jiaxin , Tomasini, Pascale , Leong, Swan Swan , Tay, Kevin , Esteban, Emilio , Minchom, Anna , Kizilbash, Sani H , Cruz-Correa, Marcia , Yu, Kin-Hung Peony , Zhang, Xiaoling , Chen, Pan , Sangem, Mythili , Che, Jianwei , Sholl, Lynette , Jänne, Pasi A , Awad, Mark M , Odintsov, Igor , Ricciuti, Biagio , Aldea, Mihaela , Garbo, Edoardo , Gazgalis, Dimitris , Besse, Benjamin , Cortot, Alexis B. , Tomasini, Pascale , Cruz‐Correa, Marcia , Awad, Mark M.

Cancer Discovery | April 9, 2025 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 1129-1140

10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-1726 Get It

Abstract Oncogenic translocations involving the MET gene have been reported in several cancer types, but detailed clinicogenomic characterization of these cancers is not well defined. In addition, prospective clinical trials evaluating the antitumor activity of MET inhibitors in MET rearrangement–positive cancers are limited. In this study, in a pan-cancer analysis of >46,000 solid tumors with comprehensive genomic profiling, we identified oncogenic MET rearrangements in ∼0.04% of cancers. Preliminary analysis from a phase II clinical trial of the type I MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) vebreltinib in MET fusion–positive solid tumors demonstrated an objective response rate of 50% and disease control rate of 79%, with antitumor activity seen in diverse cancer types, including lung adenocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, among others. Similar to MET exon 14–altered lung cancer, secondary mutations in the kinase domain can confer resistance to MET TKIs in MET fusion–positive cancers. Overall, these data categorize MET rearrangements as actionable targets in solid tumors. Significance: MET rearrangement–positive cancers are not well-characterized, and optimal treatment strategies are yet to be defined. Through comprehensive genomic analysis, preclinical modeling, and preliminary results of a phase II clinical trial, we demonstrate that MET fusions are a unique molecular subtype of cancers targetable with vebreltinib, a TKI in development.
Amivantamab in patients with NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping mutation: Updated results from the CHRYSALIS study.
Jänne, Pasi A. , Ma, Zhiyong , Salgia, Ravi , Pérez, Casilda Llácer, Curtin, Joshua C. , Roshak, Amy, Schnepp, Robert W. , Thayu, Meena, Knoblauch, Roland E., Krebs, Matthew , Spira, Alexander I. , Cho, Byoung Chul , Besse, Benjamin , Goldman, Jonathan W. , Mansfield, Aaron S. , Minchom, Anna , Ou, Sai‐Hong Ignatius , Wang, Zhijie , Gao, Grace, Lee, Chee Khoon

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 9008-9008

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.9008 Get It

9008 Background: Amivantamab, a fully human bispecific antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MET, is approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR exon 20 insertion after prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Given its bispecific nature, amivantamab is being explored in patients (pts) with primary MET exon 14 skipping mutation (METex14) in the MET-2 cohort of the CHRYSALIS study. Methods: CHRYSALIS (NCT02609776) is an ongoing phase 1 dose escalation/dose expansion study of amivantamab in pts with advanced NSCLC. Pts with primary METex14 whose disease progressed on or who declined current standard of care therapy were treated with amivantamab 1050 mg (pts <80 kg) or 1400 mg (pts ≥80 kg) weekly in cycle 1 and biweekly thereafter. Response was assessed by investigators using RECIST v1.1. Results: As of 2 Dec 2021, 43 pts with METex14 had received amivantamab. Median age was 70 y (range, 43-88), 58% were women, median prior lines of therapy was 2 (range, 0-10) [eg, crizotinib (n=13), capmatinib (n=11), tepotinib (n=5), anti-MET antibody (n=1)], and 23% had history of brain metastases at baseline. In 36 pts with ≥1 postbaseline disease assessment, median duration of follow-up was 5.8 months (range, 0.3-15.8); 6 pts had no prior treatment, 11 had no prior MET inhibitor, and 19 had a prior MET inhibitor. Overall response rate was 33% (50% [3/6] in treatment-naïve pts, 46% [5/11] in pts with no prior MET inhibitor, and 21% [4/19] in pts with prior MET inhibitor therapy). Clinical benefit rate was >54% regardless of prior treatment (Table). Median duration of response (DOR) was not reached (range, 2.1-12.2 months); 67% (8/13) had DOR ≥6 months. Ten of the 12 responders remain on treatment (6.0-14.4 months) with ongoing responses; 2 discontinued after 2 and 12 months, respectively. Safety profile was consistent with previously reported experience of amivantamab (Sabari 2021 JTO 16(3):S108-109). Treatment-related adverse events leading to dose reduction or discontinuation occurred in 3 pts, each. Conclusions: Amivantamab demonstrates anti-tumor activity in primary METex14 NSCLC including after prior MET inhibitor treatment. Enrollment is ongoing and updated data will be shown. Clinical trial information: NCT02609776. [Table: see text]