Alectinib following brigatinib: an efficient sequence for the treatment of advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive lung cancer patients

Anticancer Drugs. 2021 Jan 1;32(1):105-110. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000989.

Abstract

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-translocations are present in up to 5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), most of them being adenocarcinomas. Even though the availability of five potent ALK-inhibitors for the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC patients, there is no consensus about the ideal therapy sequence. Alectinib has been so far successfully and routinely used as first-line therapy, especially in patients presenting central nervous system lesions; however, with the very recent European approval of brigatinib in the first line, a new treatment option is now available for ALK+ patient collective. In this case series, efficient systemic and intracranial responses to alectinib late-line treatment following brigatinib therapy are reported. This therapeutic sequence is going to gain therefore more importance in a near future.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase / metabolism*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carbazoles / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Piperidines / administration & dosage
  • Prognosis
  • Pyrimidines / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Carbazoles
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrimidines
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • brigatinib
  • alectinib