Effect of platinib treatment on patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer

In-depth understandingRET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and their treatment experiences, values and preferences are crucial to optimizing treatment options. A recent study focused on the impact of pralsetinib treatment on such patients, revealing significant differences before and after treatment through interviews with four patients and one caregiver.

These patients commonly experience diagnostic delays due to mild and nonspecific symptoms such as low back pain, weight loss, cough, and shortness of breath. This often makes patients already in the advanced or metastatic stage when diagnosed, and the prognosis is not optimistic. As a traditional treatment, chemotherapy is effective to a certain extent, but its serious side effects (such as fatigue, hair loss, and thrombosis) caused by its toxicity not only damage the patients' physical functions and quality of life, but also bring them a heavy psychological burden.

However, the patients' condition improved significantly after treatment with platinib. They reported that platinib was effective in reducing tumor size and had relatively few side effects. This allows them to continue working or taking care of household chores and maintain autonomy and dignity in their daily lives. Although some patients experienced minor side effects such as fatigue, dry mouth, anemia, constipation, loss of appetite, and itchy or dry skin, these symptoms were relieved after adjusting the drug dosage. Of note, one patient was readmitted to the hospital with liver function problems and severe headaches, but this was considered an isolated case.

For patients, the key to treatment is to control symptoms, prevent or delay disease progression, and achieve long-term remission to improve survival rates. Platinib shows significant advantages in this regard. Its controllable side effects, preservation of patient independence and function, and improvement in quality of life make it a treatment option worth considering. Patients are generally willing to continue treatment with platinib under the guidance of their physician as long as they tolerate it.