OBJECTIVES

METex14 skipping is an oncogenic driver in patients with NSCLC; biomarker testing is vital to identify patients who would benefit from targeted therapy with MET inhibitors. We conducted a systematic literature review to gain better understanding of the epidemiology of this rare alteration.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE, PubMed and selected conferences following National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines; two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of articles based on predefined criteria. Search terms identified interventional and non-interventional studies including the epidemiology of METex14 skipping.

RESULTS

: A total of 753 abstracts were screened; 130 eligible publications were identified of which 108 reported METex14 prevalence in NSCLC (Asia, n=37; North America, n=30; Europe, n=30; other, n=11) no population level incidence or prevalence data was identified. Prevalence was available as number of patients with METex14 skipping out of number of NSCLC patients screened. Methods of detecting METex14 skipping varied with next-generation sequencing being most common (69/123 studies). Prevalence ranged from 0.5%–6.6% (Asia, 0.6%–6.6%; North America, 2.3%–5.1%; Europe, 0.8%–3.0%; not reported/other, 0.5%–2.3%). Prevalence of METex14 were heterogeneous by histology (non-squamous carcinoma, 0.8%–10.8%; sarcomatoid, 4.9%–25.0%; squamous cell carcinoma data was limited), however, assay type, number of patients screened, study setting (single or multiple institutions) and whether patients where routinely screened for METex14 may impact the reported prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides the first overview of the regional epidemiology of METex14 skipping and highlights the rarity of this alteration in NSCLC.