ALK-Positive Lung Cancer- A complete Guide

ALK-Positive Lung Cancer- A complete Guide

What is ALK-positive lung cancer?

ALK-positive is basically known as an abnormal rearrangement of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. ALK results in uncontrolled cell replication and survival, causing cancer. Based on some theories, treatments that inhibit the ALK-positive lung cancer growth oral medications called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). TKIs have potential in order to resist or even stop the progression of the cancer, often with the minimal side effects. Apart from this there is no known cure for the advanced lung cancer yet; however, TKIs help in order to increase the life-span by years in comparison to the traditional treatments of lung cancer.

Who gets ALK-positive lung cancer?

Anyone who is with lungs can get lung cancer. Approximately 4% of all the lung cancers have the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement.

This type of lung cancer only can be discovered with the help of molecular testing.

No data exists which indicates that ALK is caused by environmental factors such as first or second hand smoke, air pollution, radon, asbestos, chemicals or by inherited traits. Among the anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive patients, approximately 50% are younger than 50 years of age

when diagnosed, approximately 65% who never smoked and only 18% who ever smoked more than five cigarettes in a day.

ALK-positive treatment: In order to treat more advanced lung cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors help substantially in order to improve the quality of life as well as life expectancy of patients for several years. The advancement in immunotherapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatments is playing a key role. The traditional therapies for advanced lung cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation alone are often less useful than the tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Crizotinib (Xalkori): This is the first-generation TKI. • Brigatinib (Alunbrig): This is a second-generation TKI. • Alectinib (Alecensa): This is a second-generation TKI. • Ceritinib (Zykadia): This is a second-generation TKI. • Lorlatinib (Lorbrena): This is a third-generation TKI. Second Generation TKIs proven to be most effective: • Alectinib is one of the most preferred first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors according to the guidelines of NCCN. • Second Generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors generally are more effective than first Generation, and also quite effective for the longer period of time.

• Second Generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect the brain from cancer better than first Generation, usually with a few side effects.

Cancer progression on TKIs: Eventually, cancer cells can change to become resistant to TKIs. When this occurs, your oncologist should consider all of these options, including combinations of these: • Obtain a new molecular or NGS test (from tissue or blood biopsy) to identify the most suitable treatment option.

• Consider with your doctor increasing the dose of your current TKI or switching to another TKI. • Consider with your doctor targeted radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Clinical trials may be an option.

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Source: https://ikrispharmanet.wixsite.com/blog/post/alk-positive-lung-cancer