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NAUTIKA1 ALK Cohort

The ALK+ cohort of NAUTIKA1 (NCT04302025), Genentech’s single-arm phase II neoadjuvant umbrella study in resectable stage IB–IIIB (T3N2 only) NSCLC. Primary analysis, presented by Jay M. Lee at WCLC 2026 (MO06.01, September 14, 2026): MPR 56% (24/43), pCR 19%, R0 resection 95%, 2-year EFS 90% at 23.0 months median follow-up. Neoadjuvant alectinib is investigational; adjuvant alectinib is approved per ALINA.

Phase II Umbrella Cohort · NCT04302025 Sponsor: Genentech (Roche Group) ⚠️ Neoadjuvant alectinib — investigational use ✅ Adjuvant alectinib approved (ALINA) WCLC 2026 · MO06.01 · presented Sep 14

NAUTIKA1 ALK Cohort at a Glance

Design

ALK+ cohort of the NAUTIKA1 phase II biomarker-directed umbrella (NCT04302025): 8 weeks of neoadjuvant alectinib 600 mg BID → surgery and locally assessed pathologic response → optional platinum chemotherapy (≤4 cycles) → up to 2 years of adjuvant alectinib, in resectable stage IB–IIIB (T3N2 only) ALK+ NSCLC. Primary endpoint: MPR. (ClinicalTrials.gov; WCLC25 Slides)

Primary analysis — WCLC 2026 (presented September 14, 2026)

Per the presented slides (MO06.01, Jay M. Lee; data snapshot 30-Jun-2026, median follow-up 23.0 months; 48 enrolled, single-arm): MPR 56% (24/43; 95% CI 40–71), pCR 19% (8/43; 95% CI 8–33), radiographic response 60% (27/45, all PR; locally assessed, unconfirmed), and R0 resection in 95% (40/42). The presented Sankey prints 14/45 (31%) downstaged to ypN0; its downstaged bands total 17/45 (38%). 2-year EFS 90% (95% CI 81–99; n=45), DFS 97% (91–100; n=39, R0-resected and deemed disease-free), OS 98% (93–100; n=45) — the abstract’s earlier 20.8-month cut had reported 94%/96%/97%. Pre-surgery ctDNA clearance in 86% (24/28) of baseline ctDNA-positive patients with longitudinal samples. (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01, DCO 30-Jun-2026)

WCLC 2025 interim

MPR 60.7% (17/28), pCR 25.0% (7/28), radiographic ORR 63.3% (19/30), radiographic downstaging 43.3% (13/30, presentation slides), pathologic nodal downstaging 33.3% (10/30, presentation slides; the JTO abstract reports 26.7%, 8/30) — in a cohort where 63.6% had N2 disease at diagnosis. No intraoperative complications. (WCLC25 presentation, Lee, DCO 02-Sep-2024)

Safety — presented detail

Neoadjuvant alectinib (N=48): any-grade treatment-related AEs 90%, grade 3/4 6%, serious AEs 2%, discontinuation 6%. Adjuvant alectinib (n=33): any-grade 91%, grade 3/4 9%, dose reduction/interruption 42%, discontinuation 12%. Intraoperative complications 2% (1/42). Per the presented banner: R0 resection rates were high and neoadjuvant alectinib was well tolerated. (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01, DCO 30-Jun-2026)

Regulatory status

✅ Alectinib (Alecensa) is FDA-approved as ADJUVANT therapy following resection of ALK+ NSCLC with tumors ≥4 cm or node-positive disease (per the FDA label; ALINA staged by AJCC 7th edition, NAUTIKA1 by 8th — the ranges are not equivalent). ⚠️ Its NEOADJUVANT use in NAUTIKA1 is investigational. (FDA label; WCLC25 Slides)

KOL pulse

Ben Solomon: “Fabulous data… 60.7% MPR and 25% pCR(!) with 8 weeks of neoadjuvant alectinib.” Riyaz Shah: “impressive nodal downstaging; I think this is profound.” From the Sept 14 session, Urs Weber: “High rates of ctDNA clearance, which correlated with pathologic response… Periop TKI might be the way to go.”

KOLs Discussing the ALK Cohort

Ben Solomon
Ben Solomon
@bensolomon1
8.8K impressions
Hidehito Horinouchi
Hidehito Horinouchi
@HHorinouchi
11.2K impressions
Dr Riyaz Shah
Dr Riyaz Shah
@DrRiyazShah
977 impressions
Urs Weber MD
Urs Weber MD
@UrsWeberMD
Presented-slide capture
Jamie Chaft
Jamie Chaft
@ChaftJamie
MO06.01 Co-author

Key Slides & Data

Presentation and abstract captures shared by global KOLs, newest first. Slide text panels are transcriptions of the photographed slides; the source and method are labeled inside each panel.

Urs Weber MD
Urs Weber MD@UrsWeberMD
WCLC26 Presented Slides — ALK Primary Analysis (MO06.01)
WCLC 2026 · presented Sep 14, 2026 · DCO 30-Jun-2026
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[Slide 1] NAUTIKA1: study schema and baseline characteristics (WCLC 2026 presentation MO06.01, Sept 14, 2026; vision-transcribed from @UrsWeberMD's session photo) Phase II umbrella study of targeted neoadjuvant tx in patients with early-stage NSCLC harbouring study-eligible oncogenic drivers; primary analysis of the ALK+ cohort. Key eligibility: stage IB-IIIA/select IIIB (T3N2 only) NSCLC (AJCC 8th ed); ALK+; eligible for R0 resection; local molecular testing (CLIA-certified lab via FISH, IHC or NGS). ALK+ cohort: neoadjuvant alectinib (600 mg BID; 8 weeks) -> surgery and pathologic response assessment by local review -> adjuvant tx: <=4 cycles SOC platinum-based chemotherapy, then <=2 years alectinib. Key endpoints - Primary: MPR (locally assessed; defined as <=10% residual viable tumour cells). Secondary: MPR (centrally assessed), pCR, pathologic regression, ORR, DFS, EFS, OS, nodal downstaging, ctDNA clearance rate. Exploratory: ctDNA status over time, correlation with outcomes. Footnote: at the cutoff, 33 patients had received chemotherapy then alectinib while 3 had received only chemotherapy at that point. One patient withdrew consent after discontinuing neoadjuvant treatment due to adverse event. --- [Slide 2] Pathologic and radiographic responses and 2-year time-to-event outcomes (WCLC 2026 MO06.01; data snapshot 30 June 2026; median follow-up 23.0 months) Pathological response (n=43): MPR 24 (56%) [95% CI 40, 71]; pCR 8 (19%) [95% CI 8, 33]. Radiographic response (n=45; locally assessed, unconfirmed): ORR 27 (60%) [95% CI 44, 74] - all PR 27 (60%) [44, 74]; SD 16 (36%) [22, 51]; PD 1 (2%) [<1, 12]; NE 1 (2%) - the same all-PR pattern as the WCLC 2025 interim. 2-year event rates, % (95% CI): EFS (n=45) 90 (81, 99); DFS (n=39) 97 (91, 100); OS (n=45) 98 (93, 100). Weighted percentage pathologic regression waterfall (n=40), colour-coded pCR / MPR / non-MPR with baseline disease stage, baseline nodal stage, histology and neoadjuvant best overall response tracks; no point estimates read from the waterfall bars. Banner: Robust pathologic regression and radiographic responses were observed with neoadjuvant alectinib. Footnotes: adjuvant treatment was chemotherapy and alectinib in 33 patients (73%) and chemotherapy only in 3 (7%). DFS assessed in the efficacy-evaluable population who had R0 resection and were deemed disease-free (n=39). Weighted % viable tumour regression values set to "missing" for patients without primary tumour R0 resection. --- [Slide 3] Surgical outcomes, safety and nodal downstaging (WCLC 2026 MO06.01) Surgical outcomes (n=42): median time from last neoadjuvant tx to surgery 1 day (range 1-49); surgical delays - AEs 2 (5%) | scheduling 3 (7%); surgery duration median 224 min (range 60-659); days in hospital median 3 (range 0-13; n=41); resection R0 40 (95%) | no resection 2 (5%); intraoperative complications 1 (2%); peri-hilar/lobar adhesions 6 (14%). Alectinib safety, n (%) - Neoadjuvant (N=48) | Adjuvant (n=33): any-grade TRAE 43 (90) | 30 (91); grade 3/4 TRAE 3 (6) | 3 (9); SAE 1 (2) | 1 (3); dose reduction/interruption 15 (31) | 14 (42); treatment discontinuation 3 (6) | 4 (12). Pathologic nodal downstaging post surgery Sankey (n=45): clinical staging at BL cN2 26 / cN1 11 / cN0 8 -> post-surgical N staging ypN0 20 / ypN1 9 / ypN2 10 / ypN3 1 (upstaged/stable/downstaged flows per legend). Banner: 14/45 pts (31%) downstaged to ypN0. Footnotes: surgery after Day 67 from start of neoadjuvant treatment was considered delayed. No resection: required pneumonectomy (n=1), pleural disease found at time of surgery (n=1). Treatment discontinuation included pneumonitis after completion of neoadjuvant alectinib (n=1). Banner: R0 resection rates were high and neoadjuvant alectinib was well tolerated. --- [Slide 4] ctDNA clearance status post neoadjuvant tx and pathologic/clinical outcomes (WCLC 2026 MO06.01) Plasma-only/tumour-agnostic ctDNA was analysed by PredicineWES+ (BL) and PredicineBEACON (MRD) with whole blood germline control subtraction. BEP included 39/45 patients (87% of eligible and efficacy-evaluable patients). 77% of BEP (30/39) was ctDNA+ at BL. ALK fusions detected in 26% of BEP (10/39). ctDNA clearance prior to surgery was observed in 86% of patients (24/28) who were ctDNA+ at BL. All patients who had MPR (n=13) or pCR (n=6) were either ctDNA- at BL or cleared ctDNA prior to surgery [ns are the biomarker-evaluable subset with longitudinal ctDNA data, not the full-cohort pathologic response counts]. All patients who were event free at 2 years (n=16) were either ctDNA- at BL or cleared ctDNA prior to surgery. Sankey (patients with BL and longitudinal ctDNA data): BL ctDNA+ (n=28) / ctDNA- (n=9) -> last sample pre-surgery ctDNA- (n=33) / ctDNA+ (n=4) -> pathologic response non-MPR (n=18) / MPR (n=13) / pCR (n=6) -> EFS at 2 years: event (n=4) / censored (n=17) / no event (n=16). Banner: These data suggest that ctDNA MRD clearance after neoadjuvant alectinib may be associated with favourable outcomes. Footnotes: 1 patient was excluded from outcomes analysis due to missing MPR/pCR. Censored: last disease assessment date not yet 2 years from first treatment date, but event-free at the snapshot. Last sample collected post-BL during the neoadjuvant phase before surgery; 2 patients only had a Cycle 2 Day 1 sample.
Hidehito Horinouchi
WCLC26 Abstract — ALK Primary Analysis (MO06.01)
WCLC 2026 · MO06.01 · shared Aug 27, 2026
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[Slide 1] WCLC 2026 Mini Oral MO06.01 title slide (photographed and shared by @HHorinouchi on Aug 27, 2026, ahead of the Sept 14 session; author list transcribed and normalized from the photographed slide) MO06.01. NAUTIKA1: Primary Analysis of Neoadjuvant Alectinib in Resectable Stage IB-IIIB ALK+ NSCLC J.M. Lee (UCLA), A. Cummings (UCLA), N. Florez (Dana-Farber), N. Mohindra (Northwestern), D. Wigle (Mayo Clinic), J. Lin (Michigan), C.A. Shu (Columbia), A. Saltos (Moffitt), E. Shum (NYU Perlmutter), M.V. Negrao (MD Anderson), T. Patil (Colorado), L. Sholl, A. Saqi, E. Kadel, B. Ding, C. Ngiam, I. Bara (Genentech), J. Chaft (MSK)
Ben Solomon
Ben Solomon@bensolomon1
WCLC25 Oral — Neoadjuvant Alectinib (ALK+)
WCLC 2025 · Sep 8, 2025
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[Slide 1] Pathologic and radiographic response (WCLC 2025, ALK+ cohort; DCO 02-Sep-2024) Weighted % viable tumor regression waterfall in the pathologic response analysis population (n=25), with per-patient baseline disease stage, baseline nodal stage, and neoadjuvant best overall response; -90% MPR threshold marked. No point estimates read from the waterfall bars. Pathologic response (N=28): MPR 17 (60.7); pCR 7 (25.0). Radiographic response (N=30): ORR 19 (63.3); PR 19 (63.3); SD 9 (30.0); PD 1 (3.3); NE 1 (3.3). Banner: Robust pathologic regression and radiographic responses were observed with neoadjuvant alectinib. --- [Slide 2] NAUTIKA1: study schema and baseline characteristics (WCLC 2025, ALK+ cohort) NAUTIKA1 (NCT04302025) is a phase II umbrella study investigating targeted neoadjuvant treatments in early-stage NSCLC with study-eligible oncogenic drivers. Clinical and surgical outcomes for the ALK+ cohort; clinical data cutoff September 02, 2024. Key eligibility: resectable stage IB-IIIB (T3N2 only; AJCC 8th ed) NSCLC; local molecular testing in a CLIA-certified lab via FISH, IHC, or NGS. ALK+ cohort: neoadjuvant alectinib 600 mg BID for 8 weeks -> surgery and pathologic response assessment (local review) -> adjuvant <=4 cycles SoC platinum-based chemotherapy, then <=2 years of alectinib. Flow: enrolled N=33 -> eligible N=30 -> received neoadjuvant alectinib N=30 -> underwent surgery N=27 (did not: disease progression 1, withdrew consent 2) -> resection not performed 2 (surgeon decision 1, pleural metastasis 1) -> received adjuvant treatment N=21. Baseline (N=33): median age 59.0 (35-80); F/M 19 (57.6)/14 (42.4); tobacco current/former/never 0/6 (18.2)/27 (81.8); ECOG 0/1 23 (69.7)/10 (30.3); histology non-sq/sq 31 (93.9)/2 (6.1); stage IB/IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB 3/2/3/23 (69.7)/2; nodal N0/N1/N2 5 (15.2)/7 (21.2)/21 (63.6). --- [Slide 3] Tumor and lymph node downstaging (WCLC 2025, ALK+ cohort) Radiographic downstaging Sankey (baseline stage IB/IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB -> post-alectinib IA through IVB): 43.3% (13/30) of patients experienced radiographic downstaging (per AJCC 8th ed). Pathologic nodal downstaging Sankey (cN0 5 / cN1 7 / cN2 18 -> ypN0 13 / ypN1 4 / ypN2 7 / ypN3 1): 33.3% (10/30) of patients achieved pathologic nodal downstaging. Assessed in all eligible and treated patients (N=30).
Dr Riyaz Shah
Dr Riyaz Shah@DrRiyazShah
WCLC25 Oral — Alectinib Deck (independent capture)
WCLC 2025 · Sep 8, 2025
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Same WCLC 2025 deck as the @bensolomon1 capture above (single source, photographed independently) plus the Conclusions slide. --- [Slide 4] Conclusions (WCLC 2025, ALK+ cohort) Alectinib is globally approved in the adjuvant setting for patients with resected ALK+ NSCLC, based on results from the phase III ALINA study (NCT03456076) [Wu et al. NEJM 2024]. The results presented here from the NAUTIKA1 study suggest there is a potential role for neoadjuvant alectinib alongside the ALINA regimen, as a promising perioperative approach for patients with resectable, stage IB-IIIB ALK+ NSCLC.
Hidehito Horinouchi
WCLC25 Abstract — Neoadjuvant Alectinib (ALK+)
WCLC 2025 · Sep 3, 2025
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[Slide 1] WCLC 2025 Mini Oral abstract screenshot (ALK+ cohort; DCO 02-Sep-2024) Introduction: Alectinib is globally approved in the adjuvant setting for resected ALK+ stage IB-IIIB (AJCC 8th ed) NSCLC. NAUTIKA1 (NCT04302025) is a phase II umbrella study investigating targeted treatments in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting in early-stage NSCLC with study-eligible alterations (e.g., ALK, ROS1, NTRK and KRAS G12C). New clinical and surgical outcomes from 33 patients in the ALK+ cohort. Methods: Stage IB, II, IIIA or selected IIIB (T3N2 only) ALK+ NSCLC, ECOG PS 0/1. Neoadjuvant alectinib 600 mg BID for 8 weeks, then surgery, platinum-based chemotherapy (<=4 cycles) unless refused/not indicated/contraindicated, then adjuvant alectinib 600 mg BID for two years. Primary endpoint: locally assessed MPR (<=10% residual viable tumor cells). Secondary: pCR, radiographic response, nodal downstaging, safety. Results (abstract, DCO 02-Sep-2024): 33 patients enrolled. MPR 17/28 (60.7%); pCR 7/28 (25.0%). Radiographic objective response 19/30 (63.3%); nodal downstaging 8/30 (26.7%) [abstract figure; the WCLC25 presentation slides report pathologic nodal downstaging 10/30 (33.3%)]. No intraoperative complications. R0 resections in 25/27 (92.6%) of patients who underwent surgery. AEs led to dose reduction/interruption in 12/33 (36.4%) and discontinuation in 3/33 (9.1%) [abstract; N=33 includes 3 ineligible patients in the AE summary]. Neoadjuvant alectinib was well tolerated with no new safety signals. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant alectinib achieved clinically meaningful MPR/pCR rates with no new safety signals, and can be added to ALINA as a promising perioperative approach. Below: weighted % viable tumor regression waterfall (n=25), MPR / non-MPR / pCR color-coded; -90% MPR threshold. No point estimates read from the waterfall bars.

What Physicians Said

Urs Weber MD
Urs Weber MD@UrsWeberMD

Primary analysis of periop alectinib in resectable stage IB-IIIB NSCLC (NAUTIKA1) at @IASLC #WCLC26. pCR rate of 19%. 31% down-staging to ypN0. High rates of ctDNA clearance, which correlated with pathologic response. 2-year EFS 90%. Periop TKI might be the way to go. https://t.co/fNmk2VvkBb

👀 229❤ 7🔁 2Sep 14, 2026
Ben Solomon
Ben Solomon@bensolomon1

Fabulous data presented by Jay Lee from the Nautika1 neoadjuvant study in resectable ALK+ NSCLC. 60.7% MPR and 25% pCR(!) with 8 weeks of neoadjuvant alectinib. @IASLC #WCLC2025

👀 8,820❤ 141🔁 25Sep 8, 2025
Hidehito Horinouchi
Hidehito Horinouchi@HHorinouchi

☑️#WCLC25 #LCSM Mini Oral Abstract🆙 🔥Nautika1: Clinical Outcomes and Pathologic Regression With Neoadjuvant Alectinib in Resectable Stage IB-IIIB ALK + NSCLC 🎯MPR 17/28 (60.7%), pCR 7/28 (25.0%) 🎙️ Dr. Jay M. Lee @OncoAlert @Larvol @IASLC

👀 7,762❤ 29🔁 8Sep 3, 2025
Hidehito Horinouchi
Hidehito Horinouchi@HHorinouchi

🆙#WCLC26 #LCSM Mini Oral Session 🔥NAUTIKA1: Primary Analysis of Neoadjuvant Alectinib in Resectable Stage IB-IIIB ALK+ NSCLC 🎙️Dr. Jay M. Lee 🔢MO06.01 🎯R0 Resection in 95% 🎯MPR 55.8%, pCR 18.6% (n=43) 🎯2-Yr EFS 94%, DFS 96%, OS 97% (n=48) ☑️NCT04302025 🔗 https://t.co/6rnqfaalhV @OncoAlert @Larvol @IASLC

👀 3,472❤ 21🔁 0Aug 27, 2026
Dr Riyaz Shah
Dr Riyaz Shah@DrRiyazShah

NAUTIKA1; 2 neoadj cycles>s>adj chemo > adj alectinib; 64%N2; MPR 60%; pCR 25%; impressive nodal downstaging; I think this is profound #WCLC25 @BTOGORG @UKALK1

👀 977❤ 10🔁 2Sep 8, 2025

About the NAUTIKA1 ALK Cohort

NAUTIKA1 (NCT04302025) is a multicenter, phase II, neoadjuvant and adjuvant umbrella study sponsored by Genentech that enrolls patients with resectable stage IB–IIIB (T3N2 only) NSCLC by local CLIA-certified molecular testing into parallel cohorts by driver alteration. The ALK+ cohort — the study’s first headline readout — gives 8 weeks of neoadjuvant alectinib before surgery. The rationale, as presenter Jay M. Lee (UCLA) has explained: under the adjuvant-only ALINA paradigm, node-positive patients can wait 4–6 months after diagnosis before starting alectinib; moving it before surgery closes that gap.

At WCLC 2025 the interim readout showed MPR 60.7% and pCR 25.0%; the primary analysis, presented by Jay M. Lee at WCLC 2026 (MO06.01, September 14, 2026), reports the full cohort of 48 enrolled patients — MPR 56% (24/43), R0 resection 95% (40/42), 2-year EFS of 90% at 23.0 months median follow-up, and, in the exploratory ctDNA analysis, pre-surgery clearance in 86% (24/28) of baseline ctDNA-positive patients with longitudinal samples. The umbrella’s other headline readout is the KRAS G12C cohort (neoadjuvant divarasib, WCLC 2026 oral OA04.04) — covered on its own profile. Both are distinct from Krascendo 1, the phase III divarasib trial in previously treated advanced NSCLC.

Trial Methodology & Results

Study Design

Phase II umbrella cohort: 8 weeks neoadjuvant alectinib 600 mg BID → surgery → optional platinum chemo (≤4 cycles) → ≤2 years adjuvant alectinib. Primary: locally assessed MPR (≤10% residual viable tumor). (CTgov; WCLC25 Slides)

Population

Resectable stage IB–IIIB (T3N2 only; AJCC 8th ed) ALK+ NSCLC by local CLIA-certified FISH, IHC, or NGS. Primary analysis N=48; WCLC25 interim N=33 (median age 59, 63.6% N2). (WCLC26 MO06.01; WCLC25 Slides)

Endpoints

Primary: MPR (locally assessed). Secondary: MPR (centrally assessed), pCR, pathologic regression, ORR, DFS, EFS, OS, nodal downstaging, ctDNA clearance rate. Exploratory: ctDNA status over time and correlation with outcomes. (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01)

Presenter

Jay M. Lee, MD — Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, UCLA. WCLC 2025 oral and WCLC 2026 Mini Oral MO06.01. Study authors span UCLA, Dana-Farber, Northwestern, Mayo, Michigan, Columbia, Moffitt, NYU, MD Anderson, Colorado, MSK, and Genentech.

Primary analysis — pathologic and radiographic response

MPR was achieved in 56% (24/43; 95% CI 40–71) and pCR in 19% (8/43; 95% CI 8–33); radiographic response occurred in 60% (27/45; 95% CI 44–74; locally assessed, unconfirmed; all partial responses, with SD 36% and PD 2% — the same all-PR pattern as the WCLC25 interim). The presented Sankey (pathologic nodal downstaging post surgery, n=45) prints 14/45 (31%) downstaged to ypN0, and its downstaged bands total 17/45 (38%) — matching the abstract’s 37.8% (17/45) downstaging figure. R0 resection in 95% (40/42). (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01, DCO 30-Jun-2026)

MPR 56% (24/43) · R0 95% in the primary analysis
Source: figures from the presented slides captured in Key Slides above · IASLC WCLC 2026 program listing (MO06.01) ↗

Primary analysis — survival (both cuts labeled)

Presented slides (DCO 30-Jun-2026, median follow-up 23.0 months): 2-year EFS 90% (95% CI 81–99; n=45), 2-year DFS 97% (91–100; n=39, R0-resected and deemed disease-free), and 2-year OS 98% (93–100; n=45). The publicly released abstract’s earlier cut (20.8 months median follow-up) had reported 2-year EFS 94%, DFS 96%, OS 97%. All are landmark estimates in a single-arm, non-comparative phase II cohort. (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01, DCO 30-Jun-2026; WCLC26 abstract, 20.8-mo cut)

2-yr EFS 90% · DFS 97% · OS 98% at 23.0-mo median follow-up (presented)
Source: figures from the presented slides captured in Key Slides above · IASLC WCLC 2026 program listing (MO06.01) ↗

ctDNA clearance — exploratory analysis, new in the presented slides

In the exploratory ctDNA analysis, plasma-only, tumor-agnostic ctDNA was analyzed with PredicineWES+ (baseline) and PredicineBEACON (MRD). The biomarker-evaluable population included 39/45 patients (87%); 77% (30/39) were ctDNA-positive at baseline, and ALK fusions were detected in ctDNA in 26% (10/39). ctDNA clearance before surgery occurred in 86% (24/28) of baseline-positive patients with longitudinal samples. Every patient with MPR (n=13) or pCR (n=6) in this subset — and every patient event-free at 2 years (n=16) — was either ctDNA-negative at baseline or cleared ctDNA before surgery. Per the presented conclusion, these data suggest ctDNA MRD clearance after neoadjuvant alectinib may be associated with favorable outcomes. (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01, DCO 30-Jun-2026)

86% pre-surgery ctDNA clearance · exploratory endpoint
Source: figures from the presented slides captured in Key Slides above · IASLC WCLC 2026 program listing (MO06.01) ↗

Safety and surgical outcomes — presented detail

Neoadjuvant alectinib (N=48): any-grade treatment-related AEs 90% (43/48), grade 3/4 6% (3/48), serious AEs 2% (1/48), dose reduction/interruption 31% (15/48), discontinuation 6% (3/48, including one pneumonitis after completing neoadjuvant treatment). Adjuvant alectinib (n=33): any-grade TRAE 91%, grade 3/4 9%, dose reduction/interruption 42%, discontinuation 12%. Among 42 patients taken to surgery: R0 resection 95% (40/42), intraoperative complications 2% (1/42), median surgery duration 224 minutes, median hospital stay 3 days. Per the presented banner: R0 resection rates were high and neoadjuvant alectinib was well tolerated. (WCLC26 presented slides MO06.01, DCO 30-Jun-2026)

G3/4 TRAE 6% neoadjuvant / 9% adjuvant · discontinuation 6% / 12%
Source: figures from the presented slides captured in Key Slides above · IASLC WCLC 2026 program listing (MO06.01) ↗

WCLC 2025 interim — for reference

MPR 60.7% (17/28), pCR 25.0% (7/28), radiographic ORR 63.3% (19/30, all PR), radiographic downstaging 43.3% (13/30, presentation slides), pathologic nodal downstaging 33.3% (10/30, presentation slides; the JTO abstract reports 26.7%, 8/30); no intraoperative complications and no new safety signals. Interim and primary-analysis figures come from different data cuts and denominators — shown separately, never mixed. (WCLC25 presentation, Lee, DCO 02-Sep-2024)

Interim: MPR 60.7% · pCR 25%
Source: WCLC 2025 presentation (Genentech Medically) ↗

NAUTIKA1 ALK Cohort FAQ

What is the NAUTIKA1 ALK cohort?

NAUTIKA1 (NCT04302025) is a Genentech-sponsored phase II umbrella study of neoadjuvant and adjuvant targeted therapy in biomarker-selected patients with resectable stage IB–IIIB (T3N2 only) NSCLC. In its ALK+ cohort, patients receive 8 weeks of neoadjuvant alectinib 600 mg twice daily, then surgery, optional platinum-based chemotherapy (up to 4 cycles), and up to 2 years of adjuvant alectinib. The primary endpoint is locally assessed major pathologic response (MPR).

What did the NAUTIKA1 ALK primary analysis show?

In the primary analysis presented by Jay M. Lee (UCLA) at WCLC 2026 (Mini Oral MO06.01, September 14, 2026; data snapshot June 30, 2026; 48 enrolled, single-arm phase II): MPR 56% (24/43), pCR 19% (8/43), radiographic response 60% (27/45, all partial responses), 31% (14/45) downstaged to ypN0, and R0 resection in 95% (40/42). At a median follow-up of 23.0 months, 2-year EFS was 90% (95% CI 81–99), 2-year DFS 97% (91–100; n=39, R0-resected and deemed disease-free), and 2-year OS 98% (93–100); the earlier abstract cut (20.8 months) had reported 94%/96%/97%. In the exploratory ctDNA analysis, pre-surgery clearance occurred in 86% (24/28) of baseline ctDNA-positive patients with longitudinal samples. Any-grade treatment-related AEs occurred in 90% neoadjuvant (grade 3/4 6%, discontinuation 6%) and 91% adjuvant (grade 3/4 9%, discontinuation 12%). The WCLC 2025 interim (data cutoff September 2, 2024, N=33) had reported MPR 60.7% (17/28), pCR 25.0% (7/28), and radiographic ORR 63.3% (19/30).

Is neoadjuvant alectinib approved?

No. Alectinib (Alecensa, Genentech/Roche) is FDA-approved as ADJUVANT therapy following resection of ALK+ NSCLC with tumors ≥4 cm or node-positive disease, based on the phase III ALINA trial — but its NEOADJUVANT use in NAUTIKA1 is investigational. Per the WCLC 2025 presented conclusions, the NAUTIKA1 results suggest a potential role for neoadjuvant alectinib alongside the ALINA regimen as a perioperative approach.

Is this the same trial as the NAUTIKA1 divarasib data?

Same umbrella protocol, different cohort. NAUTIKA1 (NCT04302025) enrolls by driver alteration into parallel cohorts — alectinib (ALK), entrectinib (ROS1/NTRK), pralsetinib (RET), atezolizumab ± SBRT (PD-L1≥1%), and divarasib (KRAS G12C). This page covers the ALK/alectinib cohort; the KRAS G12C/divarasib cohort (WCLC 2026 oral OA04.04) has its own profile. Both are distinct from Krascendo 1 (NCT06497556), the phase III divarasib trial in previously treated advanced NSCLC.

Why do KOLs consider the ALK cohort results significant?

Ben Solomon called the WCLC 2025 readout “Fabulous data,” highlighting the 60.7% MPR and 25% pCR with only 8 weeks of neoadjuvant alectinib, and Riyaz Shah called the nodal downstaging “impressive… I think this is profound.” The rationale, as presenter Jay M. Lee has explained publicly, is that adjuvant-only alectinib (ALINA) can leave node-positive patients waiting 4–6 months after diagnosis before starting the best systemic agent — moving alectinib before surgery closes that gap.

Key KOL Sentiments

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Track oncology’s top KOLs in your specialty

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  • Enhanced KOL profiles
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  • 2025 Open Payments financial analysis
  • Social-media sentiment & trend signals
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Compiled and reviewed by the KOL Pulse research team, led by Brian Shields, Founder, KOL Pulse. Last updated September 14, 2026. Sources: WCLC 2026 presented slides MO06.01 (primary analysis, data snapshot 30-Jun-2026, photographed at the September 14 session), WCLC 2026 abstract (20.8-month cut), WCLC 2025 ALK+ cohort presentation (data cutoff 02-Sep-2024, Genentech Medically), ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04302025, and verbatim physician posts on X.