Treatment modalities for advanced ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer

Ivana Sullivan, David Planchard

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The ALK gene plays a key role in the pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with NSCLC harboring an ALK-rearrangement represent the second oncogene addiction to be identified in this disease. Crizotinib was the first ALK inhibitor showing pronounced clinical activity, and is now a reference treatment for ALK-positive NSCLC disease. However, despite initial impressive responses to crizotinib, acquired resistance almost invariably develops within 12 months. The pressing need for effective second-line agents has prompted the rapid development of next-generation ALK inhibitors. These agents, notably ceritinib and alectinib as the most developed, have a higher potency against ALK than crizotinib, along with activity against tumors harboring crizotinib-resistant mutations and potentially improved CNS penetration.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)945-961
    Number of pages17
    JournalFuture Oncology
    Volume12
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

    Keywords

    • ALK-rearrangement
    • CNS disease
    • alectinib
    • ceritinib
    • crizotinib
    • crizotinib-resistance
    • non-small-cell lung cancer

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