Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Inhibitor in Treatment of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Tongue in Infancy

• Published in: Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology Vol. 43; no. 4; p. e521
• Main Authors: Rao, Karishma, Farooki, Sana, Guest, Erin, Chastain, Katherine, Gener, Melissa, Akangire, Gangaram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase - antagonists & inhibitors; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue - drug therapy; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue - pathology; Protein Kinase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Tongue Neoplasms - drug therapy; Tongue Neoplasms - pathology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1536-3678
• DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001907

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare in neonates. IMTs of the tongue are also very rare in infancy, with only 1 case reported in this age group. The mainstay of therapy has traditionally been surgery, which can be devastating to surrounding structures and negatively impact prognosis. Approximately 50% of IMTs harbor a translocation involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. We describe a case of IMT of the tongue in a neonate treated with debulking and an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor. The patient achieved complete response and remains disease-free 1.5 year following completion of therapy.