These results support the use of selpercatinib in the early-stage setting and highlight the need for comprehensive biomarker testing in early disease to identify actionable drivers such as RET.
Newly presented selpercatinib study demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death and longer event-free survival in RET patients with early-stage RET fusion-positive lung cancer
Eli Lilly announced positive phase III LIBRETTO-432 results for Retevmo (selpercatinib) in early-stage RET fusion-positive NSCLC. Results were presented at ASCO 2026 on Sunday 31st May and published in NEJM. The study shown a reduction of the risk of recurrence or death by 83% vs. placebo and significantly improving event-free survival.
Some key findings from the study:
- A total of 151 patients were assigned to receive selpercatinib (75 patients) or placebo (76 patients).
- Median follow-up was 24 months and 27 months in the respective groups.
- Among 109 patients with stage II or IIIA disease, the event-free survival was 92% with selpercatinib and 61% with placebo.
- Among the 151 patients with stage IB, II, or IIIA NSCLC, the event-free survival at 2 years was 94% with selpercatinib and 70% with placebo.
- The most common adverse events during the treatment period were increased levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Three deaths occurred, all in the placebo group, owing to disease progression.
Eli Lilly plans to submit the results to global health authorities.
