Ponatinib in Advanced NSCLC w/ RET Translocations

This research study is a Phase II clinical trial, which tests the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug to learn whether the drug works in treating a specific cancer. "Investigational" means that the drug is being studied. It has been found that some people with NSCLC have a change (mutation) in a certain gene called the RET gene. This mutated gene may help cancer cells grow. Only participants with a RET mutation will be allowed to participate. In this study, investigators are testing the strategy of using a study drug designed to inhibit or shut off growth signals that results from the mutated RET gene. Ponatinib is an anti-cancer drug that has been used in research studies for other types of cancer. Ponatinib blocks several growth signals in cancer cells, including RET. In this research study, investigators are looking to see whether ponatinib is effective and safe in treating NSCLC harboring RET rearrangements.