Successful desensitization of two patients with ALK-positive lung cancer and hypersensitivity to crizotinib

J Thorac Oncol. 2014 Nov;9(11):1726-8. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0000000000000350.

Abstract

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib is an effective therapy for patients with cancers harboring rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. Here, we describe two patients with advanced ALK-positive lung cancer who developed hypersensitivity to crizotinib, requiring temporary discontinuation of the drug. Both patients were treated with a rapid oral desensitization protocol allowing them to resume crizotinib without further signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Crizotinib
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects*
  • Pyridines / administration & dosage*
  • Pyridines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyridines
  • Crizotinib