S14 Ep9: Tepotinib Efficacy and Safety Profiles Underscore the Importance of Biomarker-Directed Decision-Making in NSCLC: With Balazs Halmos, MD, MS

In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Balazs Halmos, MD, MS, about the phase 2 VISION trial (NCT02864992) evaluating tepotinib (Tepmetko) in patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutation–positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dr Halmos is a professor in the Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology) and the Department of Medicine (Oncology and Hematology), director of Thoracic Oncology, and associate director of Clinical Science at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in Bronx, New York.In our exclusive interview, Halmos discussed the rationale and design of the VISION trial, the significance of MET exon 14 skipping mutations as a distinct oncogenic driver, and the clinical utility of tepotinib, which is a selective MET TKI. He reviewed the trial’s efficacy results, which demonstrated consistent response rates across lines of therapy and diagnostic methods, as well as tolerability findings that highlighted the importance of monitoring and managing MET-related adverse effects. Dr Halmos also reflected on subgroup analyses from the trial, noting the agent’s activity across treatment settings, particularly in older patients and those with central nervous system involvement.Additionally, Halmos underscored the critical role of comprehensive biomarker testing in NSCLC, highlighting how parallel tissue- and circulating tumor DNA–based testing can optimize timely identification of actionable alterations and ensure patients receive the most effective frontline therapy. He also discussed practical considerations for dose selection and modifications with tepotinib, offering insights into strategies for maximizing treatment benefit and maintaining patient quality of life.