Complete response after ceritinib treatment in non-small cell lung cancer in an elderly patient

J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2020 Dec;26(8):2031-2033. doi: 10.1177/1078155220919172. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Abstract

Introduction: Ceritinib is a selective second-generation ALK inhibitor that is highly sensitive to echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) molecule.

Case report: In this paper, we report a 68-year-old female that was diagnosed with stage 4 ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Management and outcome: She was treated with crizotinib first-line, cisplatin and gemcitabine as second-line. And for third-line, ceritinib was started. She had complete response over 3.5 years under ceritinib treatment. And she is still receiving ceritinib with no adverse event.

Discussion: Cases achieving complete response with ceritinib treatment are rare. In this paper, we aimed to emphasize the complete response in stage 4 NSCLC in an elderly patient.

Keywords: EML4-ALK; Non-small cell lung cancer; ceritinib.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfones
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • ceritinib