Cells throughout the body carry a gene called RET. The RET gene makes a protein, a receptor, that sits on the cell’s surface and receives messages about how the cell should grow and divide–especially in the nervous system, kidneys, and gut. These receptors work like antennas, and they send reports from the surface to the inside of the cell and tell it what to do and how to behave.
When the RET gene is acting normally, cells grow and divide as they should. But sometimes a problem in the RET gene can form. This can be inherited or occur after birth. An altered RET gene is due to either a gene mutation or a gene fusion–meaning the RET gene stuck to another gene and is now causing problems.
When RET genes get altered, their receptors become overactive, and this can lead to cells growing and dividing uncontrollably, causing an environment where cancer can form.
Biomarker testing can be run on tumor or blood samples to determine if there’s an alteration in the RET gene and if a patient is RET-mutant or RET fusion-positive. If so, there may be a targeted therapy available for treatment - a drug called an “inhibitor” that can block the RET receptors that are driving cancer cells to grow.
Each treatment plan depends on your stage, line of treatment, surgical or additional treatment options, and your overall health.
All GI cancers (in advanced, specific situations)
Your treatment plan will be unique and dependent on several factors. Ask your doctor how your biomarker test results are informing your treatment plan and if you qualify for any clinical trials.
