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ROS1-Targeting Therapies Show Limited Efficacy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

According to a real-world study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025, ROS1-targeting therapies demonstrated suboptimal efficacy compared to non–ROS1-targeting therapies in treating patients with ROS1-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study analyzed data from 108 patients, including those treated with targeted therapy (n = 65) and non–targeted therapies (n = 38), and found that the median real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) was 14.0 months and 9.0 months, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) among patients treated with targeted therapies was 47.9 months, compared to 29.3 months for those treated with non–targeted therapies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the median real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) for patients treated with targeted therapy was 14.0 months, with a 1-year rwPFS rate of 52% (95% CI, 41%-66%).
  • In contrast, the median rwPFS for patients treated with non–targeted therapies was 9.0 months, with a 1-year rate of 23% (95% CI, 13%-42%).
  • The median overall survival (OS) among patients treated with targeted therapies was 47.9 months, with respective 1- and 3-year OS rates of 76% (95% CI, 67%-88%) and 59% (95% CI, 48%-74%).
  • Among those treated with non–targeted therapies, the median OS was 29.3 months, with a 1-year OS rate of 78% (95% CI, 66%-93%) and a 3-year OS rate of 45% (95% CI, 30%-66%).
  • Lead investigator Christos Chouaid, MD, noted that there was a tendency for numerically longer survival in patients receiving first-line targeted therapy compared to those receiving first-line non–targeted therapy.
  • The study had a relatively young age of the ROS1-positive population (median age, 57 years), and the observed rwPFS and OS were considered unsatisfactory despite the use of targeted therapies.

Statistics:

  • Median real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) among patients treated with targeted therapy: 14.0 months (95% CI, 8.3-19.8)
  • Median rwPFS among patients treated with non–targeted therapies: 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.5-11.0)
  • Median overall survival (OS) among patients treated with targeted therapies: 47.9 months (95% CI, 27.3-not estimable [NE])
  • Median OS among patients treated with non–targeted therapies: 29.3 months (95% CI, 17.7-65.7)
  • 1-year rwPFS rate among patients treated with targeted therapy: 52% (95% CI, 41%-66%)
  • 1-year rwPFS rate among patients treated with non–targeted therapies: 23% (95% CI, 13%-42%)
  • 1-year OS rate among patients treated with targeted therapies: 76% (95% CI, 67%-88%)
  • 1-year OS rate among patients treated with non–targeted therapies: 78% (95% CI, 66%-93%)
  • 3-year OS rate among patients treated with targeted therapies: 59% (95% CI, 48%-74%)
  • 3-year OS rate among patients treated with non–targeted therapies: 45% (95% CI, 30%-66%)

Sources:

  • Chouaid C, Lee A, Bote de Cabo H, et al. Real-world treatment patterns and survival in patients (pts) with ROS1-positive (ROS1+) locally advanced or metastatic (LAM) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Canada and Europe. Presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025; October 17-21, 2025; Berlin, Germany. Poster 1988P.

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