Approximately 5% of all NSCLCs harbor ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK) rearrangements.1 ALK-rearranged NSCLC is more commonly associated with younger individuals and those without a smoking history. The most common ALK rearrangement is a fusion between the ALK gene and gene echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 gene (EML4).1 Several drugs targeting ALK-rearranged NSCLC are currently available. Unfortunately, almost all ALK-positive NSCLCs will eventually progress during treatment with ALK inhibitors. This is mainly due to ALK point mutations, most commonly a L1196M mutation and the G1269A mutation, although several others have been identified.2 NSCLC tends to spread to the bones, brain, liver, lungs, and adrenal glands. ALK-positive NSCLCs have an increased tendency to metastasize to the pericardium, pleura, and liver compared with other NSCLCs.3 Rarely, tumors can metastasize to the ovaries; such tumors are known as Krukenberg tumors. Typically, Krukenberg tumors ori..... READ ARTICLE
Journal of Thoracic Oncology DOI:10.1016/j.jtho.2019.05.028
Authors: John (Jack) Ogden, Hao Xie, Randolph S. Marks, Konstantinos Leventakos