It was only 3 years ago that the fusion gene between echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like4 (EML4) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been identified in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EML4-ALK is most often detected in never smokers with lung adenocarcinoma and has unique pathologic features. EML4-ALK fusion gene is oncogenic, which could be suppressed by ALK-inhibitor through blocking the downstream signaling passway of EML4-ALK. This review will focus on the molecular structure, function, biology, detection method and the diagnostic and therapeutic meaning of EML4-ALK of lung cancer.
3年前棘皮动物微管相关类蛋白4（echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like4, EML4）与间变性淋巴瘤激酶（anaplastic lymphoma kinase, ALK）融合基因被发现存在于部分非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）中。该融合基因常见于不吸烟的肺腺癌患者，有其独特的病理学特征，可以诱导肿瘤生成。ALK抑制剂能够作用于该基因的下游信号传导通路并拮抗其促肿瘤生成活性。本文旨在介绍EML4-ALK基因的结构、功能、生物学特征、检测方法及其在肺癌诊断治疗中的意义。