[Lung Cancer Precision Medicine] Targeting MET Alterations: Tepotinib Demonstrates Strong Antitumor Activity in the VISION Trial

Tepotinib: A Tailored Treatment for MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutations

Among the genomic landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), "MET exon 14 skipping" mutations account for approximately 3–4% and occur more frequently in elderly patients. Results from the VISION trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), demonstrated that the highly selective MET inhibitor Tepotinib provides an effective and well-tolerated monotherapy option for this patient population.

1. VISION Trial: Encouraging Response Data

This global Phase 2 trial enrolled 152 patients with advanced MET exon 14 skipping mutations and treated them with Tepotinib 500 mg once daily.

Key Clinical Endpoints:

• Objective Response Rate (ORR): 46% overall — representing meaningful tumor shrinkage in nearly half of all patients
• Duration of Response (DoR): Median 11.1 months — demonstrating durable, sustained remission
• Benefit in elderly patients: The median age of enrolled patients was 74 years; the data confirmed Tepotinib is safe and effective in this older age group

2. Safety Profile and Side Effect Management

Tepotinib's side effect profile is relatively focused and manageable:

• Peripheral edema: The most common side effect of MET inhibitors (approximately 7% Grade 3 or higher). Japanese medical teams have well-established protocols for managing edema, including dietary adjustments, compression therapy, and pharmacological intervention
• Overall tolerability: Only approximately 11% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, indicating that most patients can maintain long-term therapy

3. Why MET Testing Is Critical

"No testing, no precision medicine." Japan's leading cancer centers routinely perform comprehensive genomic profiling (NGS) or liquid biopsy at initial diagnosis to accurately identify MET exon 14 mutations. Early detection of this alteration allows patients to bypass conventional chemotherapy with limited efficacy and proceed directly to highly effective targeted therapy.

Medical Supporter — Your Bridge to Japan's Lung Cancer Precision Medicine

Facing a rare genetic mutation, professional interpretation and access to the right medication are critical to survival. The Medical Supporter team can assist you with medical record and genomic report translation, arrange appointments with Japan's leading MET treatment specialists, and help you access the latest targeted therapy options in a timely manner.

Medical Supporter was formerly certified as an international medical visa guarantor by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (B-066).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Related Cancer Information

• Lung cancer