NTRK fusion analysis reveals enrichment in Middle Eastern BRAF wild-type PTC

Objective Fusions involving neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase ( NTRK ) are known oncogenic drivers in a broad range of tumor types. It recently gained attention as predictor targeted therapy since selective inhibitors now approved the US and Europe for patients with solid tumors harboring gene fusions. However, estimation fusion/alteration frequency its clinicopathological characteristics papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is limited, especially population high incidence PTC like Middle Eastern population. This study aims to characterize fusion investigate utility pan-Trk immunohistochemistry (IHC) large cohort PTC. Methods FISH analysis fusions IHC was performed on 315 PTCs. Correlation protein expression markers patient outcome were determined. Results In our cohort, 6.0% (19/315) showed significantly associated pediatric P = 0.0143), lymph node metastasis 0.0428) BRAF WT < 0.0001). Pan-Trk positive 9.2% (29/315) cases fusions, sensitivity 73.7% specificity 94.9% this cohort. Conclusions confirms presence which enriched well age group proposes usefulness screen that might benefit from TRK inhibitors.