Dramatic response to brigatinib in a lung adenocarcinoma patient harboring EML4-ALK fusion and a G1202R de novo gene mutation

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the preferred initial treatment for ALK rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While initial responses to next-generation inhibitors are robust, acquired resistance is expected for nearly all patients. The emergence of the G1202R mutation represents a significant concern for oncologists, as it predicts resistance to almost all ALK inhibitors (ALKi) other than lorlatinib. However, we report the first case of ALK de novo mutation in a patient with advanced NSCLC that responded to brigatinib. READ ARTICLE

European Journal of Cancer DOI:10.1016/j.ejca.2022.02.001

Authors: Yue Pan, Yue Zeng, Yurong Peng, Xiaohan Liu, Yizheng Li, Fang Wu

Case StudyKirk SmithApril 1, 2022Brigatinib, lung adenocarcinoma, EML4-ALK, G1202R, gene mutation

Targeting Alternative Splicing as Adjunctive Treatment in EML4-ALK v3a/b+ NSCLC: Knowing Our Socratic Paradox and Learning From Spinal Muscular Atrophy

After their seminal discovery of EML4-ALK variant 1 (v1) (E13:A20) and v2 (E20:A20) as a transforming driver mutation in NSCLC in 2007,1 Choi et al.2 went on to identify EML4-ALK v3 (E6:A20) in 2008 using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Two EML4-ALK v3 isoforms, v3a and v3b, which differs by an inclusion of a cryptic (exon EML4 6b) exon of 33 DNA base pairs into v3b, were identified together in two patients' samples... Currently, no combination therapy has been approved for the treatment of advanced ALK+ NSCLC despite our tremendous understanding of both on-target,17 and off-target resistances.18 The clinical approval of “double mutant active” ALK TKIs is at best years away with no guarantee that they will be developed to address the current unmet need of acquired double ALK mutations given that double mutations are only part of the spectrum of acquired resistances to ALK TKIs.19 The successful clinical development of six ALK TKIs globally leading to long-term surviva..... READ ARTICLE

Journal of Thoracic Oncology DOI:10.1016/j.jtho.2021.11.010

Authors: Misako Nagasaka, Sai-Hong Ignatius Ou

ALK-positive histiocytosis: a new clinicopathologic spectrum highlighting neurologic involvement and responses to ALK inhibition

ALK-positive histiocytosis is a rare subtype of histiocytic neoplasm first described in 2008 in 3 infants with multisystemic disease involving the liver and hematopoietic system. This entity has subsequently been documented in case reports and series to occupy a wider clinicopathologic spectrum with recurrent KIF5B-ALK fusions. The full clinicopathologic and molecular spectra of ALK-positive histiocytosis remain, however, poorly characterized. Here, we describe the largest study of ALK-positive histiocytosis to date, with detailed clinicopathologic data of 39 cases, including 37 cases with confirmed ALK rearrangements. The clinical spectrum comprised distinct clinical phenotypic groups: infants with multisystemic disease with liver and hematopoietic involvement, as originally described (Group 1A: 6/39), other patients with multisystemic disease (Group 1B: 10/39), and patients with single-system disease (Group 2: 23/39). Nineteen patients of the entire cohort (49%) had neurologic involv..... READ ARTICLE

Blood DOI:10.1182/blood.2021013338

Authors: Paul G. Kemps, Jennifer Picarsic, Benjamin H. Durham, Zofia Hélias-Rodzewicz, Laura Hiemcke-Jiwa, Cor van den Bos, Marianne D. van de Wetering, Carel J. M. van Noesel, Jan A. M. van Laar, Robert M. Verdijk, Uta E. Flucke, Pancras C. W. Hogendoorn, F. J. Sherida H. Woei-A-Jin, Raf Sciot, Andreas Beilken, Friedrich Feuerhake, Martin Ebinger, Robert Möhle, Falko Fend, Antje Bornemann, Verena Wiegering, Karen Ernestus, Tina Méry, Olga Gryniewicz-Kwiatkowska, Bozenna Dembowska-Baginska, Dmitry A. Evseev, Vsevolod Potapenko, Vadim V. Baykov, Stefania Gaspari, Sabrina Rossi, Marco Gessi, Gianpiero Tamburrini, Sébastien Héritier, Jean Donadieu, Jacinthe Bonneau-Lagacherie, Claire Lamaison, Laure Farnault, Sylvie Fraitag, Marie-Laure Jullié, Julien Haroche, Matthew Collin, Jackie Allotey, Majid Madni, Kerry Turner, Susan Picton, Pasquale M. Barbaro, Alysa Poulin, Ingrid S. Tam, Dina El Demellawy, Brianna Empringham, James A. Whitlock, Aditya Raghunathan, Amy A. Swanson, Mariko Suchi, Jon M. Brandt, Nabeel R. Yaseen, Joanna L. Weinstein, Irem Eldem, Bryan A. Sisk, Vaishnavi Sridhar, Mandy Atkinson, Lucas R. Massoth, Jason L. Hornick, Sanda Alexandrescu, Kee Kiat Yeo, Kseniya Petrova-Drus, Stephen Z. Peeke, Laura S. Muñoz-Arcos, Daniel G. Leino, David D. Grier, Robert Lorsbach, Somak Roy, Ashish R. Kumar, Shipra Garg, Nishant Tiwari, Kristian T. Schafernak, Michael M. Henry, Astrid G. S. van Halteren, Oussama Abla, Eli L. Diamond, Jean-François Emile

Case Report: A Novel Non-Reciprocal ALK Fusion: ALK-GCA and EML4-ALK Were Identified in Lung Adenocarcinoma, Which May Respond to Alectinib Adjuvant-Targeted Therapy

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have favorable and impressive response to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, ALK rearrangement had approximately 90 distinct fusion partners. Patients with different ALK fusions might have distinct responses to different-generation ALK-TKIs. In this case report, we identified a novel non-reciprocal ALK fusion: ALK-grancalcin (GCA) (A19: intragenic) and EML4-ALK (E20: A20) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a male lung adenocarcinoma patient who was staged as IIIB-N2 after surgery. After a multidisciplinary discussion, the patient received alectinib adjuvant targeted therapy and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). He is currently in good condition, and disease-free survival (DFS) has been 20 months so far, which has been longer than the median survival time of IIIB NSCLC patients. Our study extended the spectrum of ALK fusion partners in ALK + NSCLC, and we reported a new ALK fusion: ALK-GCA a..... READ ARTICLE

Frontiers in Oncology DOI:10.3389/fonc.2021.782682

Authors: Zhai Xiaoqian, Wu Qiang, Pu Dan, Yin Liyuan, Wang Weiya, Zhu Daxing, Xu Feng

Case StudyKirk SmithJanuary 5, 2022ALK-GCA, EML4-ALK, Alectinib, non-reciprocal ALK rearrangement

A Case of Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Harboring an EML4–ALK Fusion with Partial Response to Crizotinib

Clinical Practice Points: •A patient with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) had an echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)–anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion.
•He had a partial response to crizotinib in the primary lesions.
•ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors should be considered in SCLC patients with EML4–ALK fusions.
•Gene testing should be performed in young SCLC patients with a limited smoking history. READ ARTICLE

Clinical Lung Cancer DOI:10.1016/j.cllc.2021.03.012

Authors: Qian Shen, Farhin Shaheed Kalyani, Jingjing Qu, Zhen Chen, Jing Zhang, Jianying Zhou

Case StudyKirk SmithNovember 1, 2021SCLC, EML4-ALK, Crizotinib, Partial response, Gene testing

F-circEA1 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis through ALK downstream signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

Studies have confirmed that circular RNA (circRNA) has a stable closed
structure, which plays an important role in the progression of tumors.
Cancers with positive fusion genes can produce associated fusion circRNA
(F-cirRNA). However, there are no reports concerning a role for
F-circRNA of the echinoderm microtubule associated-protein like
4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase variant 1 (EML4-ALK1) in non-small cell
lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study confirmed the existence of fusion circEA1
(F-circEA1) in NCI-H3122 cells (carrying the EML4-ALK1 gene), F-circEA1
was expressed both in the cytoplasm and nucleus as determined by
fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Sanger sequencing. CCK8
and transwell assays showed that F-circEA1 was beneficial to cell
proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. Overexpression of F-circEA1 can
also promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion in A549 and
SPCA1 cells (non-small cell lung cancer cell line not carrying the
EML4-ALK1 gene). Int..... READ ARTICLE

Human Cell DOI:10.1007/s13577-021-00628-7

Authors: Yinping Huo, Tangfeng Lv, Mingxiang Ye, Suhua Zhu, Jiaxin Liu, Hongbing Liu & Yong Song

Pre-Clinical, group2Kirk SmithOctober 11, 2021F-circEA1, EML4-ALK, NSCLC, Apoptosis

An unusual fusion gene EML4-ALK in a patient with congenital mesoblastic nephroma

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), the most common renal tumor of infancy, is a mesenchymal neoplasm histologically classified into classic, cellular, or mixed types. Most cellular CMNs harbor a characteristic ETV6-NTRK3 fusion. Here, we report an unusual congenital mesoblastic nephroma presenting in a newborn boy with a novel EML4-ALK gene fusion revealed by Anchored Multiplex RNA Sequencing Assay. The EML4-ALK gene fusion expands the genetic spectrum implicated in the pathogenesis of congenital mesoblastic nephroma, with yet another example of kinase oncogenic activation through chromosomal rearrangement. The methylation profile of the tumor corresponds with infantile fibrosarcoma showing the biological similarity of these two entities. READ ARTICLE

Genes Chromosomes & Cancer DOI:10.1002/gcc.22990

Authors: Adela Misove, Ales Vicha, Michal Zapotocky, Josef Malis, Jan Balko, Tereza Nemeckova, Jana Szabova, Martin Kyncl, Daniela Novakova-Kodetova, Lucie Stolova, Pavla Jencova, Petr Broz, Lenka Krskova

Case StudyKirk SmithAugust 10, 2021EML4-ALK, congenital mesoblastic nephroma

One-Step Polymerase Chain Reaction-Free Nanowire-Based Plasma Cell-Free DNA Assay to Detect EML4-ALK Fusion and to Monitor Resistance in Lung Cancer

Background: Next-generation sequencing has mostly been used for genotyping cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma. However, this assay has several clinical limitations. We evaluated the clinical utility of a novel polymerase chain reaction–free nanowire (NW)-based plasma cfDNA assay for detecting ALK fusion and mutations. Conclusion: The newly developed simple NW-based cfDNA assay may be clinically applicable for rapid diagnosis of ALK fusion with its variant forms and early detection of resistance. READ ARTICLE

The Oncologist DOI:10.1002/onco.13902

Authors: Youngjoo Lee, Youngnam Cho, Eun Young Park, Seong-Yun Park, Kum Hui Hwang, Ji-Youn Han

Two novel strategies to overcome the resistance to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs: Macrocyclic inhibitors and proteolysis-targeting chimeras

Lung cancer is the most malignant tumor in the worldwide. About 3%-5% non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients carry anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusions and receive great benefits from ALK-targeted therapy. However, drug resistance inevitably occurs even with the most potent inhibitor drug lorlatinib. About half of the resistance are caused by alteration in ALK proteins for earlier ALK TKI drugs and near one-third of loratinib resistant cases are caused by compound mutations without current effective treatment strategy in clinic. Novel strategies are in great need to overcome drug resistance. Lately, two novel strategies have been developed and attracted great attentions for their potentials to overcome drug resistance problems: (1) developed small compact macrocyclic ALK kinase inhibitors and (2) developed ALK targeted proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) drugs. The macrocyclic molecules are small and compact in size, brain barrier permeable, and highly potent against lorlatinib-resistant compound mutations. Developed ALK targeted PROTAC molecules could degrade oncogenic ALK driver proteins. Some showed superiority in killing ALK positive cancer cells and inhibiting the growth of cells expressing G1202R resistant ALK proteins comparing to inhibitor drugs. The update on these two treatment strategies was reviewed. READ ARTICLE

MedComm DOI: 10.1002/mco2.42

Authors: Song X, Zhong H, Qu X, Yang L and Jiang B.

EML4-ALK-mediated activation of the JAK2-STAT pathway is critical for non-small cell lung cancer transformation

Our data suggest that the aberrant expression of EML4-ALK leads to JAK2-STAT signaling pathway activation, which is essential for the development of non-small cell lung cancer. READ ARTICLE

BMC Pulmonary Medicine DOI:10.1186/s12890-021-01553-z

Authors: Ying Li, Yongwen Li, Hongbing Zhang, Ruifeng Shi, Zihe Zhang, Hongyu Liu, and Jun Chen

Successful Alectinib Treatment for Carcinoma of Unknown Primary with EML4-ALK Fusion Gene: A Case Report

Gene alteration in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is rare, and the efficacy of ALK inhibitors in the treatment of carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) with ALK alteration remains unclear. The patient was a 56-year-old woman who presented with cervical lymph node swelling. Computed tomography revealed paraaortic, perigastric, and cervical lymph node swelling; ascites; a liver lesion; and a left adrenal mass. A cervical lymph node biopsy was performed, and pathological diagnosis of an undifferentiated malignant tumor was conducted. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with CUP and treated with chemotherapy. To evaluate actionable mutations, we performed a multigene analysis, using a next-generation sequencer (FoundationOne® CDx). It revealed that the tumor harbored an echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and ALK fusion gene. Additionally, immunohistochemistry confirmed ALK protein expression. Alectinib, a potent ALK inhibitor, was recommended for the patient at a molecular oncology conference at our institution. Accordingly, alectinib (600 mg/day) was administered, and the multiple lesions and symptoms rapidly diminished without apparent toxicity. The administration of alectinib continued for a period of 10 months without disease progression. Thus, ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors should be considered in patients with CUP harboring the EML4-ALK fusion gene. READ ARTICLE

Current Oncology DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28030180

Authors: Sugiyama K., Izumika A., Iwakoshi A., Nishibori R., Sato M., Shiraishi K., Hattori H., Nishimura R. and Kitagawa C.

EML4-ALK fusion variant.3 and co-occurrent PIK3CA E542K mutation exhibiting primary resistance to three generations of ALK inhibitors

The ALK inhibitors are promising therapeutic agents against lung cancer harboring ALK fusion genes and are currently under development up to the third generation. However, its therapeutic effects are reported to be affected by differences in ALK variants and co-occurrent mutations. Materials and Methods; We experienced an autopsy case of an ALK-positive lung cancer patient who showed primary resistance to three generations of ALK inhibitors. The poor survival time of the case was 14 months. To reveal the mechanism of primary resistance to three generations of ALK inhibitors, we performed next generation sequencing for 12 specimes obtained from an autopsy with covering whole exons of 53 significantly mutated, lung cancer-associated genes and amplicon-based target RNA sequenceing for the ALK fusion gene. The NGS analysis revealed a rare variant.3 of ALK fusion, in which 30 bp of base was inserted at the end of ALK intron.19 and was associated with EML exon.6 [E6_ins30A20] and a co-occurrent oncogenic PIK3CA E542K mutation in all specimens. Structural analysis of the fusion protein ALK [E6_ins30A20] showed no interferance with the binding of ALK inhibitors to the kinase domain. The NGS analysis of primary and metastatic lesions obtained from an autopsy revealed a co-occurrent oncogenic PIK3CA E542K mutation in all specimens. The constitutive activation of PI3K-Akt signal by PIK3CA E542K mutation occurred downstream of ALK signaling pathway, could lead to primary resistance to ALK inhibitors in all generations. READ ARTICLE

Cancer Genetics DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.05.010

Authors: Kei Kunimasa, Yosuke Hirotsu, Yoji Kukita, Yumi Ueda, Yoshiharu Sato, Madoka Kimura, Tomoyuki Otsuka, Yuichiro Hamamoto, Motohiro Tamiya, Takako Inoue, Takahisa Kawamura, Kazumi Nishino, Kenji Amemiya, Taichiro Goto, Hitoshi Mochizuki, Keiichiro Honma, Masao Omata and Toru Kumagai

EML4-ALK positive lung adenocarcinoma with skeletal muscle metastasis in the right calf which was treatable with lorlatinib after resistance to treatment with alectinib

This report concerns a patient with skeletal muscle metastases due to lung adenocarcinoma harbouring an echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like-4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, who was successfully treated with lorlatinib after resistance to alectinib. A right lower lobectomy based on a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma was performed on a 77-year-old Japanese woman. After 7 months of surgical resection, a mass in the right calf was observed. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy from the mass was performed and the mass was diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma harbouring EML4-ALK rearrangement. Alectinib was administered for 10 months. Then, administration of lorlatinib, an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor classified as third generation, was initiated after resistance to treatment with alectinib. After starting treatment with lorlatinib, the gastrocnemius tumour diminished and has maintained a stable condition. Our case suggests that EML4-ALK positive lung adenocarcinoma is treatable with lorlatinib after resistance to treatment with alectinib. READ ARTICLE

British Medical Journal DOI:10.1136/bcr-2020-240295

Authors: Hironari Matsuda, Munechika Hara, Shin-Ichiro Iwakami, Kazuhisa Takahashi

Case StudyKirk SmithApril 27, 2021post-alectinib, lorlatinib, EML4-ALK

EML4-ALK induces cellular senescence in mortal normal human cells and promotes anchorage-independent growth in hTERT-transduced normal human cells.

Background: Chromosomal inversions involving anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 (EML4) generate a fusion protein Here we for the first time conduct such study to examine the effects of EML4-ALK on cell proliferation, cellular senescence, DNA damage, gene expression profiles and transformed phenotypes.EML4-ALK in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The understanding of EML4-ALK function can be improved by a functional study using normal human cells. Methods:Here we for the first time conduct such study to examine the effects of EML4-ALK on cell proliferation, cellular senescence, DNA damage, gene expression profiles and transformed phenotypes. Results: The lentiviral expression of EML4-ALK in mortal, normal human fibroblasts caused, through its constitutive ALK kinase activity, an early induction of cellular senescence with accumulated DNA damage, upregulation of p16INK4A and p21WAF1, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal)..... READ ARTICLE

BMC Cancer DOI:10.1186/s12885-021-07905-6

Authors: Miyanaga A, Matsumoto M, Beck JA, Horikawa I, Oike T, Okayama H, Tanaka H, Burkett SS, Robles AI, Khan M, Lissa D, Seike M, Gemma A, Mano H, Harris CC

A case report of exceptional clinical response to chemoradiotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a patient with EML4-ALK fusion variant 1 non-small cell lung cancer

Herein, we report the case of a non-smoking 36-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with right lung adenocarcinoma in 2005 (cT1N3M0, IIIB) and received definitive chemoradiotherapy. The patient achieved a partial response, and her disease remained under control for 8 years. However, in May 2013, the patient was diagnosed with brain metastasis and underwent subsequent surgical resection, followed by postoperative brain radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Postoperative pathology confirmed ALK gene rearrangement, and next-generation sequencing performed in 2020 identified the EML4-ALK variant as variant 1. After progression-free survival lasting 4 years, new metastatic lesions were found in the patient’s right lung, and she was administered crizotinib for 20 months. Due to a suspicious recurrence in the intracranial surgical margin area, as well as an unbearable gastrointestinal reaction to crizotinib, alectinib was later adopted. At the 7-month follow-up, positron emission tomography/com..... READ ARTICLE

Translational Lung Cancer Research DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1212

Authors: Xu X, Liu D, Wen J, Chen J, Fan M.

Case StudyKirk SmithDecember 9, 2020Lung cancer, EML4-ALK, variant 1

Prolonged survival without progression under crizotinib treatment

In recent years, serious changes have been observed in the treatment algorithms of especially lung cancer patients. The start-up phase of treatment planning of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients is comprised of driver mutation research. Among the pretreatment options of patients diagnosed with EML4-ALK rearrangement, is crizotinib. The group disgnosed with EML4-ALK rearrangement, composes a little part of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. In this case presented, I will focus on the start of crizotinib treatment and 53-month follow-up in remission in a patient, who has been operated twice and received cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy twice, and relapsed for the second time as Stage-4. READ ARTICLE

Cancer Treatment and Research Communications DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2020.100259

Author: Gulmez A Dr.

Case StudyKirk SmithDecember 1, 2020Crizotinib, EML4-ALK, Lung cancer

EML4-ALK-mediated Activation of the JAK2-STAT Pathway is Critical for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Transformation

Aberrant expression of EML4-ALK leads to JAK2-STAT signaling pathway activation, an essential part of the development of non-small cell lung cancer. READ ARTICLE

BMC Pulmonary Medicine DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-021-01553-z

Authors: Ying Li, Yongwen Li, Hongbing Zhang, Ruifeng Shi, Zihe Zhang, Hongyu Liu, Jun Chen

Pre-ClinicalKirk SmithDecember 1, 2020EML4-ALK, JAK2-STAT pathway, transformation, NSCLC

Spindle cell neoplasm with EML4-ALK gene fusion presenting as an intraosseous vertebral mass

In this article, we describe a spindle cell neoplasm harboring an EML4-ALK gene fusion presenting as an intraosseous vertebral mass with extension into the adjacent soft tissue in a 65-year-old man. Histologically, the lesion was characterized by the presence of monotonous, cytologically bland spindle cells with loose myxoedematous stroma and interspersed areas of amianthoid-like collagen fiber deposition. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong diffuse staining for CD34 and S100, with absent immunoreactivity for SOX10. At 1 year of follow-up after resection, there is no evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease. This case adds to the clinical and pathologic spectrum of the recently described group of kinase fusion-positive spindle cell neoplasms and represents the first reported intra-osseous example. The presence of ALK rearrangement in this lesion represents a potential therapeutic target, if clinically indicated. READ ARTICLE

Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer DOI:10.1002/gcc.22917

Authors: Jose G Mantilla, Hoiwan Cheung, Alice S Ha, Benjamin L Hoch, Yajuan J Liu, Robert W Ricciotti

Case StudyKirk SmithNovember 19, 2020EML4-ALK, gene fusion, sarcoma, soft tissue pathology

Abstract 4900: An ALK fusion gene regulates different signaling pathways in mortal versus immortalized normal human cells for cellular senescence and transformation

Accumulating results of clinical trials lead targeted therapies to be the first choice for unresectable or recurrent lung cancer with driver mutations. Echinoderm Microtubule Associated Protein Like 4 (EML4) - Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion is known as such a driver mutation. It presents in 3-6% of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). EML4-ALK fusion protein generate the constitutive ALK kinase activity in NSCLC. The basic understanding of EML4-ALK remains insufficient due to the lack of functional studies using normal human cells. We investigated the role of EML4-ALK in mortal and immortalized normal human cells. The expression of EML4-ALK in normal, mortal human fibroblasts caused accumulated DNA damage, telomere shortening and the early induction of cellular senescence with senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity and upregulation of p16INK4A and p21WAF1. In contrast, when EML4-ALK was expressed in telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized normal huma..... READ ARTICLE

Cancer Research DOI:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2020-4900

Authors: Masaru Matsumoto, Akihiko Miyanaga, Jessica Beck, Izumi Horikawa, Mohammed Khan, Delphine Lissa, Masahiro Seike, Akihiko Gemma, Hiroyuki Mano and Curtis Harris

Conference PaperKirk SmithAugust 1, 2020EML4-ALK, non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC

Investigation on the prognostic impact of concurrent genomic alterations in crizotinib-treated EML4-ALK-rearranged advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background: ... In our study, we investigated concurrent molecular factors that could contribute to the heterogeneity of their clinical outcomes to crizotinib therapy... Conclusion: Our study revealed that concurrent deleterious mutations, particularly copy number amplifications in oncogenic genes have prognostic implications in patients with EML4-ALK-rearranged NSCLC receiving crizotinib therapy. These observations advance the understanding of the heterogeneity of treatment responses among patients with EML4-ALK-rearranged tumors. READ ARTICLE

Lung Cancer DOI:10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.05.026

Authors: Jing Zheng, Yanping Zhu, Ke Sun, Qian Shen, Yuehong Wang, He Cao, Analyn Lizaso, Bing Yu, Jing Lin, Songan Chen, Jianya Zhou, Jianying Zhou

Case StudyKirk SmithAugust 1, 2020ALK fusion, ALK rearrangements, EML4-ALK, Crizotinib, Lung cancer