Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Cancers: Assessing Therapeutic Options

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene and its mutations are responsible for about 5% of all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), especially in patients who have never smoked. An international group of researchers set out to determine if ALK-positive NSCLC was sensitive to treatment with pemetrexed(Drug information on pemetrexed) (Alimta). They discovered a notable effect on progression-free survival in never/light-smoking patients, regardless of ALK status, with a first-line platinum/pemetrexed regimen.

RESULT: Pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced, ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Annals of Oncology | Aug 10, 2012 (Free abstract. Full text $32)


ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma is a rare disease but an aggressive one, and its response to conventional chemotherapy has historically been dismal. But crizotinib (Xalkori), a small-molecule ALK inhibitor, could be a potential new therapeutic option. A review article explains why making an accurate diagnosis in ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma is paramount in order to come to the right treatment decision, especially in the era of ALK inhibitor-based regimens.

RESULT: Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Large B-Cell Lymphoma: An Underrecognized Aggressive Lymphoma
Advances in Hematology | Feb 26, 2012 (FREE FULL TEXT)