EML4-ALK, a potential therapeutic target that responds to alectinib in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is prone to recurrence and chemotherapy resistance. Ovarian tumours of some patients have been positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion gene expression (ALK+). Preclinical studies indicate that anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor can suppress the growth of ovarian cancer cells and transplantation tumours. Here, we present a patient with metastatic ALK+ high-grade serous ovarian cancer that testing positive for EML4-ALK (microtubule-associated protein-like 4 gene, fused to the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene), experienced dramatic benefit after administration of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor alectinib. This is the first clinical evidence that treatment with alectinib may provide a personalized maximum benefit for patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer who are positive for EML4-ALK. READ ARTICLE

Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology DOI:10.1093/jjco/hyaa156

Authors: Beina Hui, Jingping Zhang, Xiaobo Shi, Fangfang Xing, Yang W Shao, Yuanyuan Wang, Xiaozhi Zhang, Shuwen Wang

Comparison of EML4-ALK fusion gene positive rate in different detection methods and samples of non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To evaluate differences of EML4-ALK positive rates in tissues samples between immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and the next-generation sequencing method. Besides, to compare the differences of EML4-ALK positive rates in blood samples and tissue samples by next-generation sequencing. The results provide a basis for the selection of a suitable EML4-ALK fusion gene detection method. Conclusion: Among the three methods for detecting EML4-ALK, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction has the highest positive rate, followed by immunohistochemistry, and next-generation sequencing has the lowest positive rate. The positive detection rate of EML4-ALK in tissue samples by next-generation sequencing was higher than that in blood samples. READ ARTICLE

Journal of Cancer DOI:10.7150/jca.36580

Authors: Shan Lu, Can Lu, YuXuan Xiao, Wei Zhu, QiuYan He, Bin Xie, JianHua Zhou, YongGuang Tao, Shuang Liu, DeSheng Xiao

EML4-ALK Fusion Subtype Is Associated with Therapeutic Efficacy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics of each subtype of the EML4-ALK fusion gene and to evaluate the efficacy of first-line crizotinib or pemetrexed in combination with platinum in the treatment of patients with advanced NSL4-ALK fusion subtypes of advanced NSCLC. Conclusion: Among all ALK fusion subtypes, E13:A20 subtype (V1 variants) is the most common. Smoking history was a factor affecting crizotinib PFS. Compared with chemotherapy, patients with E20:A20 subtype (V2 variant) showed significant benefit with crizotinib. The median PFS of the pemetrexed combined with platinum regimen was lower than that of the E13:A20 subtype. READ ARTICLE

Journal of Thoracic Oncology DOI:10.1016/j.jtho.2019.08.1830

Authors: H. Wang, H. Li, J. Ma, X. Yan, P. Li, M. Zhang, X. Zhang, G. Zhang, Z. Ma