An overview of alectinib hydrochloride as a treatment option for ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: Alectinib is a second-generation inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and RET. Phase III clinical trials have established its superiority to crizotinib in the first-line ALK inhibitor-naïve setting. Studies also support its use over chemotherapy in the post-crizotinib setting. It is currently one of several FDA- and EMA-approved ALK inhibitors, and it is listed as a preferred initial therapy for treatment-naïve ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Areas covered: Herein, the authors provide the reader with details of the chemical structure, pharmacologic properties, resistance mutations, phase I, II, and III clinical trials, and safety profile of alectinib. Furthermore, the authors provide the reader with the expert opinion and future perspectives on the drug.Expert opinion: Alectinib compares favorably to other second-generation ALK inhibitors with regards to safety, tolerability, and efficacy. Based on currently available data, it is an appropriate first-line option. Ongoing studies will better resolve the ideal sequencing of ALK inhibitors in the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC. READ ARTICLE

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1948014

Authors: Schokrpur S, Hilburn V, Giustini N and Bazhenova L.

Review Paper, group4Kirk SmithJuly 6, 2021ALESIA, ALEX, ALUR, alectinib, J-ALEX, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), TKI

Final progression-free survival results from the J-ALEX study of alectinib versus crizotinib in ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer

Objectives: The J-ALEX study compared the efficacy and safety of alectinib with crizotinib in Japanese patients with advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Superiority in independent review facility (IRF)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) was demonstrated for alectinib at the second pre-planned interim PFS analysis (data cutoff: December 3, 2015; hazard ratio [HR] 0.34, 99.7 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–0.71, P < 0.0001). We report final PFS data and the second pre-planned interim analysis of overall survival (OS) and safety (data cutoff: June 30, 2018). Conclusions: At the final PFS analysis, alectinib continued to demonstrate superiority in IRF-assessed PFS versus crizotinib in ALK-inhibitor-naïve ALK-positive NSCLC, with a favorable safety profile. OS follow-up continues. READ ARTICLE

Lung Cancer. DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.11.025

Authors: Kazuhiko Nakagawa, Toyoaki Hida, Hiroshi Nokihara, Masahiro Morise, Koichi Azuma, Young Hak Kim, Takashi Seto, Yuichi Takiguchi, Makoto Nishio, Hiroshige Yoshioka, Toru Kumagai, Katsuyuki Hotta, Satoshi Watanabe, Koichi Goto, Miyako Satouchi, Toshiyuki Kozuki, Ryo Koyama, Tetsuya Mitsudomi, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Takashi Asakawa, Morihiko Hayashi, Wakako Hasegawa, Tomohide Tamura

Clinical TrialsKirk SmithNovember 28, 2019Alectinib, ALK-positive, Crizotinib, J-ALEX, NSCLC, PFS