Optimizing treatment for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive lung cancer

• Published in: Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics Vol. 101; no. 5; p. 625
• Main Authors: Dagogo-Jack, I, Shaw, A T, Riely, G J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2017
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Enzyme Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - genetics; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic - drug therapy; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic - genetics; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic - pathology; Precision Medicine; Prognosis; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - genetics
• ISSN: 1532-6535
• DOI: 10.1002/cpt.653

In the 9 years since the initial discovery of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there has been tremendous progress, culminating in an ever-expanding repertoire of agents that have activity in this disease. This review article provides an overview of currently approved ALK inhibitors, other ALK inhibitors in development, and commonly described mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibitors. We also discuss emerging controversies in treatment of patients with ALK-positive lung cancer, including the choice of first-line ALK inhibitor and the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of central nervous system metastases.