Concurrent EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement in stage IV lung adenocarcinoma-a case report and a literature review

EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement were considered mutually exclusive mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Upfront comprehensive mutation screening, like next-generation sequencing, enabled the discovery of simultaneous mutations. We describe a case of a woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with 2 synchronous mutations at diagnosis, the EGFR p.(Leu858Arg) mutation, and an ALK rearrangement. The patient is on gefitinib for 16 months, maintaining this strategy currently. Co-occurrence of 2 targetable mutations is a particular challenge when choosing first-line treatment. We discuss the treatment options and results in patients with both mutations, which were generally associated with a poor prognosis in multiple studies comparing with one single mutation. READ ARTICLE

Porto Biomedecial Journal DOI: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000124

Authors: Élia Cipriano, Helena Magalhães, Catarina Tavares, João Pinto, Luís Cirnes, Fernanda Estevinho