The accelerated FDA approval of Taliso-V for CMET overexpression creates a new treatment category, distinct from previously targeted MET exon 14 skipping mutations. This validates IHC-based protein overexpression as an independent, actionable biomarker, expanding targeted therapy options for a new patient population that previously had none.

The SAVANNAH study showed that targeting MET amplification after TKI failure is only effective with stringent diagnostic criteria (e.g., IHC 3+ in >90% of cells). Lower cutoffs lead to poor outcomes, highlighting the need for precise biomarker testing to select patients for this therapy.

Clinical trials for MET-targeted therapies in NSCLC use varying definitions for MET amplification, including different Gene Copy Number (GCN) or MET-CEP7 ratio cutoffs. This inconsistency makes it challenging to compare drug efficacy and apply trial data directly to clinical practice.

A practical framework categorizes TKIs into three classes to guide adjuvant use. Class 1 (e.g., osimertinib, alectinib) has high efficacy and low toxicity, making extrapolation easy. Class 2 (e.g., BRAF/MET inhibitors) has moderate efficacy and higher toxicity, requiring trials. Class 3 (e.g., KRAS inhibitors) has lower activity and needs trials.

Despite both Zongertinib and Sevabirtinib showing high efficacy in HER2-mutant NSCLC, Zongertinib's selective nature results in a much better safety profile. Sevabirtinib's dual EGFR/HER2 inhibition leads to significant GI and skin toxicities, making tolerability, not just efficacy, the key factor for clinical preference.

Even if randomized trials show zongertinib's efficacy is merely comparable to chemoimmunotherapy, its significantly milder safety profile—especially its lack of cardiac toxicity and manageable side effects—is expected to make it the preferred first-line choice. Patient quality of life and tolerability are becoming decisive factors in treatment selection.

Contrary to the standard 'TKI-first' approach for driver mutations, a study in MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC suggests a different strategy. Patients with high PD-L1 expression appeared to have better outcomes with first-line chemoimmunotherapy, reserving the targeted therapy for later. This challenges the conventional wisdom of prioritizing the driver mutation over immunotherapy biomarkers in this specific subgroup.

In the Luminosity study of Taliso-V for MET-overexpressed NSCLC, patients with high C-MET expression had better response rates than those with intermediate expression. However, this did not translate into a significant improvement in median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) or Overall Survival (OS).

For EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients experiencing cardiac toxicity like QTc prolongation with osimertinib, lazertinib presents a viable alternative. Its lower rate of cardiac side effects allows for continued third-generation TKI therapy in a specific patient subset where osimertinib may be contraindicated.