Abstract
INTRODUCTION: NSCLC is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Specific genetic alterations, such as MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping, have been identified in NSCLC, allowing targeted therapy. Tepotinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor, has displayed promise in patients with advanced NSCLC. Nevertheless, challenges arise when identifying treatment strategies for patients with discordant results regarding METex14 skipping detection between diagnostic tests. METHODS: We investigated patients with NSCLC and discordant results for METex14 skipping between the Oncomine Dx Target Test (ODxTT) and ArcherMET. Clinical response, adverse events, and the duration of tepotinib treatment were assessed, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among the 19 patients deemed METex14 skipping positive by ODxTT, only 10 had concordant results with ArcherMET. The number of METex14 skipping reads detected by ODxTT was significantly lower in discordant cases. Of the 19 patients, 14 received tepotinib, and comparable response and disease control rates were observed in both concordant and discordant cases. The duration of treatment did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that tepotinib has comparable therapeutic effects in patients with METex14 skipping-positive NSCLC irrespective of the concordance of results between ODxTT and ArcherMET. Tepotinib is a possible treatment option for patients with METex14 skipping, even in patients with discordant test results.