Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusions in adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors: a clinicogenomic biobank and record linkage study of expression frequency and patient characteristics from Finland.

Background: Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are oncogenic drivers. Using the Auria Biobank in Finland, we aimed to identify and characterize patients with these gene fusions, and describe their clinical and tumor characteristics, treatments received, and outcomes.

Material and methods: We evaluated pediatrics with any solid tumor type and adults with colorectal cancer (CRC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), sarcoma, or salivary gland cancer. We determined tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) protein expression by pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of tumor samples from the Auria Biobank, scored by a certified pathologist. NTRK gene fusion was confirmed by next generation sequencing (NGS). All 2,059 patients were followed-up starting 1 year before their cancer diagnosis.

Results: Frequency of NTRK gene fusion tumors was 3.1% (4/127) in pediatrics, 0.7% (8/1,151) for CRC, 0.3% (1/288) for NSCLC, 0.9% (1/114) for salivary gland cancer, and 0% (0/379) for sarcoma. Among pediatrics there was one case each of fibrosarcoma (TPM3::NTRK1), Ewing's sarcoma (LPPR1::NTRK2), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (DAB2IP::NTRK2), and papillary thyroid carcinoma (RAD51B::NTRK3). Among CRC patients, six harbored tumors with NTRK1 fusions (three fused with TPM3), one harbored a NTRK3::GABRG1 fusion, and the other a NTRK2::FXN/LPPR1 fusion. Microsatellite instability was higher in CRC patients with NTRK gene fusion tumors versus wild-type tumors (50.0% vs. 4.4%). Other detected fusions were SGCZ::NTRK3 (NSCLC) and ETV6::NTRK3 (salivary gland cancer). Four patients (three CRC, one NSCLC) received chemotherapy; one patient (with CRC) received radiotherapy.

Conclusion: NTRK gene fusions are rare in adult CRC, NSCLC, salivary tumors, sarcoma, and pediatric solid tumors.