ALK‑positive locally advanced lung cancer in a patient who achieved long‑term complete response with crizotinib: A case report

Abstract

In the last two decades, the existence of key oncogenic alterations, such as activating mutations or chromosomal reorganization, has become crucial in the advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment paradigm. Among these, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement is reported in 3-7% of NSCLC cases worldwide. In patients who respond to long-term ALK therapy, treatment duration is uncertain. The present study reported a case of variant type 1 ALK-rearranged stage 3B lung adenocarcinoma that maintained a complete response for >6 years under treatment with crizotinib. As first-line treatment, crizotinib was administered twice daily (250 mg) and a complete response was confirmed after 3 months. After a complete response to crizotinib for 6 years, the treatment was stopped and the patient was followed up. Multiple brain metastases were detected during the third month of follow-up.