Beyond and and gene rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancer.

The discovery of gene rearrangements involving the receptor tyrosine kinase genes and has revolutionized management of the subset of non-small cell lung cancers characterized by these alterations. The oncogenic fusion proteins expressed in these tumors drive cancer cell growth and survival, and targeted inhibition of this signaling can lead to dramatic and durable responses in patients. While the best characterized gene fusions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involve and , fusions involving other kinases including , , and are now established as additional targetable drivers. Here we review data supporting the roles of these fusions as oncogenic drivers, and the potential for targeting these fusions for improved clinical outcomes. These discoveries should encourage multiplexed molecular profiling of lung cancers using next-generation platforms which identify these gene fusions in order to expand treatment options for patients.