Abstract
The fusion between echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has recently been identified in a subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). EML4-ALK is most often detected in never smokers with lung cancer and has unique pathologic features. EML4-ALK is oncogenic both in vitro and in vivo and ALK kinase inhibitors are quite effective in pre-clinical model systems. More recently ALK inhibitors have entered clinical development and remarkably clinical efficacy has been observed in NSCLC patients harbouring EML4-ALK translocations. This review will focus on the biology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of EML4-ALK NSCLC.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy
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Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Gene Rearrangement
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Humans
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In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
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Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
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Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
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Lung Neoplasms / therapy
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Mutation
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Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Smoking / genetics
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Translocation, Genetic
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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EML4-ALK fusion protein, human
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
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ALK protein, human
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Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases