Dr. Zalcberg on the Role of Ripretinib in Advanced GIST

John Zalcberg, ​PhD, OAM, the Prof & Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology​, head, Cancer Research Program, NHMRC (MRFF) Practitioner Fellow, the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, discusses the role of ripretinib (Qinlock) in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor​ (GIST).

Ripretinib, a switch kinase inhibitor ​that targets KIT and PDGFRα, is one of the latest additions to the ​advanced GIST armamentarium, says Zalcberg.

The agent was evaluated in the randomized ​phase 3 INVICTUS trial that showed ripretinib could overcome resistant phenotypes​, Zalcberg explains.

Based on ​findings from this trial, ripretinib received regulatory approval ​from the FDA on May 15, 2020 for the ​fourth-line treatment of adult patients with advanced GIST who have received 3 or more prior kinase inhibitors, including imatinib (Gleevec).

Ripretinib offers an additional option beyond imatinib,​ sunitinib (Sutent), and ​regorafenib (Stivarga) for the treatment of patients with advanced GIST, Zalcberg explains.

Due to the encouraging results that have been observed with this agent in the United States, ripretinib may receive ​global approval​s in the future, Zalcberg concludes.