EML4-ALK rearrangement in squamous cell carcinoma shows significant response to anti-ALK inhibitor drugs crizotinib and alectinib

Thomas Huang, Brigitte J Engelmann, Rachael M Morgan, Kimberly J Absher, Jill M Kolesar, John L Villano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

EML4-ALK alterations are more common in adenocarcinomas and are rarely found in squamous cell histology. In documented cases, the majority of EML4-ALK translocations are identified in squamous cell histology and occur in patients with no or light smoking history. We report an EML4-ALK4 translocation in a 50-year-old patient with squamous cell carcinoma and an 18 pack-year smoking history. The patient had a near complete response in the CNS to alectinib treatment. Our observation suggests that EML4-ALK genomic testing may be clinically useful in patients with heavy smoking history.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)965-968
Number of pages4
JournalCancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology
Volume81
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2018

Keywords

  • Carbazoles/pharmacology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
  • Crizotinib/pharmacology
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/antagonists & inhibitors
  • Patient Selection
  • Piperidines/pharmacology
  • Smoking/adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

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