{"id":3595,"date":"2024-08-12T04:00:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T08:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happylungsproject.org\/?p=3595"},"modified":"2026-03-02T10:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:53:08","slug":"ret-positive-lung-cancer-understanding-its-impact-on-non-smokers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happylungsproject.org\/ret-positive-lung-cancer-understanding-its-impact-on-non-smokers\/","title":{"rendered":"RET-Positive Lung Cancer: Understanding its Impact on Non-Smokers"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color=”#f68d28″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” font_color=”#ffffff” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”10px” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

Discover how RET-positive lung cancer uniquely impacts non-smokers, including younger women, and explore cutting-edge, personalized treatments that are transforming lives. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

Some Facts About RET Fusion Positive NSCLC<\/h2>\n

RET-positive non-small cell lung cancer is caused by an abnormal re-arrangement or fusion of the RET gene, which codes for a tyrosine protein kinase cell membrane receptor. This alteration leads to abnormal activation of the cell membrane receptor, basically resulting in the \u201con-off\u201d switch getting stuck in the \u201con\u201d position and causing tumor growth.<\/p>\n

RET gene fusions occur most commonly in lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer), but other RET alterations like RET mutations are also common in inherited and sporadic medullary thyroid cancer, and can occur in other types of cancers like ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, among others.<\/p>\n

RET lung cancer accounts for approximately 37,500\u00a0lung cancer cases worldwide and 4,000 cases in the U.S.<\/p>\n

RET rearranged lung cancers are more frequent in lung cancers, and they occur when the RET gene joins another gene and creates a fusion that leads to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. There are different types of RET rearrangements, and investigators are currently studying the characteristics of each one in cancer development and treatment.<\/p>\n

The most common RET fusion gene partner is KIF5B, and the second most common is CCDC6.<\/p>\n

One of the research projects that has been funded by Happy Lungs Project, led by Dr. John Heymach<\/a>, is focused on the study of the variations in RET fusion partners and how these RET fusions may impact the sensitivity of these tumors to RET inhibition by RET targeted therapies. Establishing a comprehensive landscape of RET fusions and mutations in lung cancer that are associated with selective RET inhibitor resistance will allow clinicians to better determine effective and personalized therapeutic approaches.<\/p>\n

Why do non-smokers get lung cancer?<\/b>
\nDr. John Heymach, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center<\/p>\n