Genomic insights into the mechanisms of FGFR1 dependency in squamous cell lung cancer

Abstract

Although subsets of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) benefit from immunotherapy, there are few effective molecularly targeted treatments for LSCC. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors provide a therapeutic option for patients with LSCC harboring FGFR aberrations, but their therapeutic efficacy has been limited to date. In this issue of the JCI , Malchers et al. identified tail-to-tail rearrangements, either within or near FGFR1 , that are associated with FGFR1 dependency and sensitivity to FGFR inhibition in LSCC. These results may help improve the selection of patients with LSCC who are most likely to benefit from treatment with FGFR inhibitors.

High-resolution genomic configuration of FGFR rearrangements dictates the therapeutic vulnerability of squamous cell lung cancers

“…Although FGFR1 inhibitors have shown promising responses in some tumor types ( 19 ), further research is needed to understand the detailed genomic structure of 8q11.12 and the potential influence of other neighboring genes in different types of tumors. The accompanying commentary on the article by Mäkinen and Meyerson are also available for further insights ( 20 ).…”