Anaplastic lymphoma tyrosine kinase oncogene in human cancer: gene aberrations, methods of detection and therapeutic potential

Rosalaura Sabetta; Monica Gargiulo; Marina Accardo; Federica Zito Marino; Renato Franco

doi:10.4081/tmr.6803

Anaplastic lymphoma tyrosine kinase oncogene in human cancer: gene aberrations, methods of detection and therapeutic potential

https://doi.org/10.4081/tmr.6803

PDF

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2018)

Submitted: 17 May 2017
Accepted: 23 July 2017

Published: 27 November 2017

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase, Target therapy, Non small cell lung cancer

Abstract Views: 1472

PDF: 513

Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Rosalaura Sabetta Pathology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Monica Gargiulo Pathology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Marina Accardo Pathology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Federica Zito Marino Pathology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Renato Franco
renato.franco@unicampania.it
Pathology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Anaplastic lymphoma tyrosine kinase (ALK) gene could be an attractive oncotarget in human cancers, since it is involved in several genetic alterations resulting in an aberrant activity of the receptor. To date, ALK-rearrangement represents a molecular target for the treatment of ALK-rearranged Non Small Cell Lung Cancer patients, who are highly sensitive to crizotinib, a specific inhibitor. ALK-rearranged patients treated with crizotinib show relevant clinical implications, however several different resistance mechanisms have been identified. Here we review various critical issues related to ALK-targeting therapy, including ALK gene aberrations, methods of detection, mechanism of acquired resistance and second-generation ALK inhibitors.

Sabetta, R., Gargiulo, M., Accardo, M., Zito Marino, F., & Franco, R. (2017). Anaplastic lymphoma tyrosine kinase oncogene in human cancer: gene aberrations, methods of detection and therapeutic potential. Translational Medicine Reports, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/tmr.6803