Progress of ALK gene inhibitors in the treatment of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement is one of the most potent carcinogenic genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The first-generation ALK inhibitor such as crizotinib is superior to chemotherapy for NSCLC patients with ALK rearrangement. At the same time, more and more studies have reported ALK inhibitors in brain metastases of NSCLC patients with intracranial efficiency. However, despite the initial clinical data of first-generation ALK inhibitors in the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC with brain metastases, different degrees of recurrence of tumors after acquired resistance have posed new challenges for follow-up treatment of cancer patients. A new generation of ALK inhibitors, such as alectinib, ceritinib, AP26113 and PF-06463922 have emerged to solve this problem. Key words: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; Neoplasm metastasis; Anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion gene inhibitors