Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the second most common cancer globally. The mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) proto-oncogene can be targeted in NSCLC patients. Methods: We performed a literature search on PubMed in December 2019 for studies on MET inhibitors and NSCLC. Phase II and III clinical trials published in English between 2014 and 2019 were selected. Results: Data on MET inhibitors (tivantinib, cabozantinib, and crizotinib) and anti-MET antibodies (emibetuzumab and onartuzumab) are reported in the text. Conclusion: Emibetuzumab could be used for NSCLC cases with high MET expression. Further, studies on onartuzumab failed to prove its efficacy, while the results of tivantinib trials were clinically but not statistically significant. Additionally, cabozantinib was effective, but adverse reactions were common, and crizotinib was generally well-tolerated.

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Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a precursor mammary lesion whose malignant cells do not extend beyond the basement membrane and presents a risk of progression to malignant disease. Its early detection increased with screening mammography. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the main presentations of DCIS on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), through searches of the Medline/PubMed, Latin-American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (Lilacs), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases. DCIS can occur in its pure form or in conjunction with invasive disease, in the same lesion, in different foci, or in the contralateral breast. MRI has a high sensitivity for the detection of pure DCIS, being able to identify the non-calcified component, and its accuracy increases with the nuclear grade of the lesion. The most common pattern of presentation is non-nodular enhancement; heterogeneous internal structures; a kinetic curve showing washout or plateau enhancement; segmental distribution; and restricted diffusion. MRI plays an important role in the detection of DCIS, especially in the evaluation of its extent, contributing to more reliable surgical excision and reducing local recurrence.

Background and Objective The therapeutic landscape for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has evolved considerably in the last few years. The targeted drugs and molecular diagnostics have been developed together at a fast pace. This narrative review explores the evolution of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) targeting therapies from discovering the ALK protein, molecular tests, present clinical trial data and future perspectives. Since the body of evidence on lung cancer is growing daily, most oncologists need time to implement data in their daily practice. Methods We developed a narrative review to provide up-to-date help in the clinical decision-making of ALK-altered NSCLC patients. In 2022, the authors reviewed PubMed’s published pivotal randomized Phase 3 trial results. Key Content and Findings The development of ALK inhibitors was a revolution that is still ongoing; second and third-generation ALK inhibitors provided more than 30 months of progression-free survival (PFS) and impressive “brain-control”. Brigatinib provided a survival benefit for patients with baseline brain metastases (HR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21–0.89), and Lorlatinib demonstrated intracranial response rates of 82%, with 71% of complete intracranial responses. Personalized medicine is the new paradigm, from performing broad genetic panels for diagnosis to individual targeted therapy or combinations of different targeted agents. Conclusions In the future, performing broad molecular panels should be the standard of care in the front line and after each progression to detect arising resistance mechanisms. Longer PFS will substantially convert a deadly condition into an almost chronic disease in the following decades. Treatment sequencing will be the cornerstone for patient survival, and liquid biopsies may replace tissue biopsies.

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