The central nervous system as a sanctuary site in ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer

J Thorac Oncol. 2013 Dec;8(12):1570-3. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0000000000000029.

Abstract

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements define a distinct molecular subset of non-small-cell lung cancer that is highly responsive to treatment with the ALK inhibitor crizotinib. Recently, it has been recognized that the brain is a frequent site of relapse among ALK-positive patients treated with crizotinib. In this report, we expand on these observations and present a series of ALK-positive patients with two distinct forms of metastatic, central nervous system involvement: intramedullary spinal cord metastasis and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Meningeal Carcinomatosis / drug therapy
  • Meningeal Carcinomatosis / genetics
  • Meningeal Carcinomatosis / secondary*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Spinal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*

Substances

  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases