Ceritinib in the treatment of ALK-positive patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Ceritinib is the second ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor after crizotinib, registered in the Russian Federation for the treatment of ALKpositive patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Later alectinib was registered. Thus, we have the opportunity, firstly, to continue targeted therapy with second-generation drugs after progression on crizotinib, and secondly, the appointment of more active drugs in the first line provides the best results of treatment.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-positive Tumors

“…The median age of the study group was 59 years and majority of the patients were female individuals (N=36 [58%]) and nonsmokers (N=42 [68%]) which is consistent with previously reported data. 5 , 7 , 11 , 12 At COH most common ethnicities were Caucasian and Asian at 52% (N=32) and 37% (N=23), respectively. Majority of the ALK + tumors were adenocarcinomas (N=59 [95%]), however 3 patients had adenosquamous carcinoma as well.…”

“…In general, EML4-ALK -mutated patients present at a younger age, in women with never or light smoking (<10 pack-years) history. 5 – 7 Up to 55% of the patients with all NSCLC present with stage IV disease with poor prognosis. Unique patterns and uncommon sites of metastasis of ALK + tumors with their coexisting driver mutations such as EGFR , KRAS , and others have not been extensively reviewed in the literature.…”