The role of alectinib in the treatment of advanced ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in subsets of non-small cell lung cancer patients has provided with unparalleled opportunities to hinder the progression of this disease through targeting the activity of these specific molecules. Unfortunately most patients develop disease progression in less than a year of treatment with crizotinib, the first-generation ALK-inhibitor.

Areas covered: We review the resistance mechanisms to ALK inhibitors as well as an overview of the clinical activity of the alectinib, a second generation ALK inhibitor.

Expert commentary: Second generation ALK inhibitors as alectinib and ceritinib can overcome crizotinib-resistant mutations and improve central nervous system control. Novel third-generation inhibitors and combination of agents give hope of achieving an even longer disease control in the next decade.

KEYWORDS:

• Non-small cell lung cancer
• ALK gene rearrangement
• alectinib
• ceritinib

Declaration of interest

G Kloecker is on the Speaker Bureau of Novartis and Pfizer. Roche was not involved in the preparation, drafting or editing of this manuscript. Roche conducted a factual accuracy check on the final article but any decision to incorporate comments was made solely at the discretion of the authors. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.