Research in Context

Research in Context is a structured summary that editors at The Lancet’s journals ask all authors to provide when submitting an original research article. Read more

A collaboration with

Savolitinib in MET exon 14-mutated NSCLC: Phase 3b findings from China

A Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific Research in Context piece reports durable responses and median overall survival outcomes with savolitinib in previously treated and treatment-naïve patients with MET exon 14-mutated NSCLC.

  • Yongfeng Yu; Qisen Guo; Yongchang Zhang; Jian Fang; Diansheng Zhong; Baogang Liu; et al.

  • March 23, 2026

Share

Evidence before this study

The MET exon 14 mutation occurs in approximately 3%–4% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Two selective MET inhibitors, capmatinib and tepotinib, have established efficacy in this setting, with pivotal studies reporting objective response rates of 68% and 44% for capmatinib and 57% and 45% for tepotinib in treatment-naïve and previously treated patients, respectively. In a Phase 2 pivotal study conducted in Chinese patients, savolitinib, a potent and highly selective MET inhibitor, demonstrated an Independent Review Committee-assessed objective response rate of 49% and median progression-free survival of 6·8 months, supporting conditional regulatory approval.

Added value of this study

This confirmatory Phase 3b trial is the first in China to comprehensively evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of savolitinib across two distinct cohorts: previously treated and treatment-naïve patients with MET exon 14-mutated NSCLC. The final analysis confirms clinically meaningful and durable responses in both groups. The median overall survival was 25·3 months and 28·3 months in previously treated and treatment-naïve populations, respectively, demonstrating long-term survival benefit.

Implications of all the available evidence

Savolitinib is a promising treatment option for patients with MET exon 14-mutated NSCLC, a population with limited treatment options. These confirmatory findings supported its full approval in China in January 2025 and validate the clinical relevance of routine genomic profiling and targeted MET inhibition in NSCLC. Savolitinib showed encouraging activity in patients with brain metastases, a subgroup with poor outcomes.

Source: The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific

Your research deserves a global audience

The Lancet Group reaches millions of clinicians and researchers worldwide.

Publish with The Lancet Group

Related Content

Radiotherapy-free option explored in high PD-L1 NSCLC, randomised confirmation still needed

A prospective study reports feasibility of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy without radiotherapy; the authors say a randomised trial is required before comparison with standard chemoradiotherapy–durvalumab care.

  • by Akito Hata, MD; Taira Ninomaru, MD; Hideaki Okada, MD; Yoshihito Kogure, MD; Masahide Oki, MD; Nobuyuki Katakami, MD; et al.

  • October 10, 2025

Patient seated for treatment while a clinician adjusts equipment.
Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus tislelizumab plus chemotherapy in first-line advanced squamous NSCLC

In this study, generalisability not yet established, with a global phase 3 underway to assess it, the authors reported that first-line ivonescimab plus chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival versus tislelizumab plus chemotherapy, with a manageable safety profile.

  • by Shun Lu, MD; Baogang Liu, MD; Yongzhong Luo, MD; Longhua Sun, MD; Lin Wu, MD; Zhengxiang Han, MD; et al.

  • May 31, 2026

Patient receiving an intravenous infusion with a clinician nearby.