TCM monotherapy achieves significant efficacy in crizotinib-refractory advanced NSCLC with brain metastasis.

RATIONALE: The morbidity and mortality of lung cancer rank the first among all kinds of cancer. In China, anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive pulmonary tumors account for nearly 5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and these patients are quite likely to develop brain metastases, as high as around 45%. Although anaplastic lymphoma kinase-tyrosine kinase inhibitors crizotinib and alectinib have proved effective for controlling tumor metastases to the brain, drug resistance and disease progression cannot be ignored in the course of treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: Most of the literature reports that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has produced satisfactory results in the treatment of cancer patients as an adjuvant treatment for various malignancies in a 53-year-old male patient who developed advanced NSCLC with brain metastases. As first-line crizotinib and erlotinib treatments were ineffective and the intracranial lesions progressed extensively, the patient chose to receive TCM treatment alone in the hope of prolonging his life and improving his quality of life. DIAGNOSES: A 53-year-old male patient who developed advanced NSCLC with brain metastasis. Because first-line crizotinib and alectinib have failed, and the intracranial lesions progressed in a large area. INTERVENTIONS: The patient requested that the final therapeutic strategy be Chinese medicine as monotherapy for long-term treatment. The patient took 30 mL of the decoction 1 hour after a meal, 3 times a day. The patient was not treated with dehydrating agents or diuretics during the TCM treatment. OUTCOMES: The improvement was obvious after 3 months of treatment, and significant reduction of cranial lesions. During the follow-up period, the patient developed neither severe liver damage nor kidney damage. LESSONS: This case is the first 1 in the world where TCM was introduced as monotherapy for severe conditions with extensive brain metastases and achieved remarkable efficacy.

QSAR, Molecular Docking, MD Simulation and MMGBSA Calculations Approaches to Recognize Concealed Pharmacophoric Features Requisite for the Optimization of ALK Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors as Anticancer Leads.

ALK tyrosine kinase ALK TK is an important target in the development of anticancer drugs. In the present work, we have performed a QSAR analysis on a dataset of 224 molecules in order to quickly predict anticancer activity on query compounds. Double cross validation assigns an upward plunge to the genetic algorithm−multi linear regression (GA-MLR) based on robust univariate and multivariate QSAR models with high statistical performance reflected in various parameters like, fitting parameters; R2 = 0.69−0.87, F = 403.46−292.11, etc., internal validation parameters; Q2LOO = 0.69−0.86, Q2LMO = 0.69−0.86, CCCcv = 0.82−0.93, etc., or external validation parameters Q2F1 = 0.64−0.82, Q2F2 = 0.63−0.82, Q2F3 = 0.65−0.81, R2ext = 0.65−0.83 including RMSEtr < RMSEcv. The present QSAR evaluation successfully identified certain distinct structural features responsible for ALK TK inhibitory potency, such as planar Nitrogen within four bonds from the Nitrogen atom, Fluorine atom within five bonds beside the non-ring Oxygen atom, lipophilic atoms within two bonds from the ring Carbon atoms. Molecular docking, MD simulation, and MMGBSA computation results are in consensus with and complementary to the QSAR evaluations. As a result, the current study assists medicinal chemists in prioritizing compounds for experimental detection of anticancer activity, as well as their optimization towards more potent ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

A hypothalamic pathway for Augmentor α-controlled body weight regulation.

Augmentor α and ß (Augα and Augß) are newly discovered ligands of the receptor tyrosine kinases Alk and Ltk. Augα functions as a dimeric ligand that binds with high affinity and specificity to Alk and Ltk. However, a monomeric Augα fragment and monomeric Augß also bind to Alk and potently stimulate cellular responses. While previous studies demonstrated that oncogenic Alk mutants function as important drivers of a variety of human cancers, the physiological roles of Augα and Augß are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the physiological roles of Augα and Augß by exploring mice deficient in each or both Aug ligands. Analysis of mutant mice showed that both Augα single knockout and double knockout of Augα and Augß exhibit a similar thinness phenotype and resistance to diet-induced obesity. In the Augα-knockout mice, the leanness phenotype is coupled to increased physical activity. By contrast, Augß-knockout mice showed similar weight curves as the littermate controls. Experiments are presented demonstrating that Augα is robustly expressed and metabolically regulated in agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, cells that control whole-body energy homeostasis in part via their projections to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Moreover, both Alk and melanocortin receptor-4 are expressed in discrete neuronal populations in the PVN and are regulated by projections containing Augα and AgRP, respectively, demonstrating that two distinct mechanisms that regulate pigmentation operate in the hypothalamus to control body weight. These experiments show that Alk-driven cancers were co-opted from a neuronal pathway in control of body weight, offering therapeutic opportunities for metabolic diseases and cancer.

Eficacia y seguridad de uso de brentuximab para el tratamiento de linfoma periférico de células T, subtipo anaplásico de células grandes sistémico, CD30 positivo y ALK negativo, en pacientes sin tratamiento previo / Efficacy and safety of using brentuximab for the treatment of peripheral t-cell lymphoma, systemic anaplastic large cell subtype, cd30 positive and alk negative, in treatment-naïve patients

ANTECEDENTES: Este dictamen ha sido elaborado en el marco de la metodología ad hoc para evaluar solicitudes de tencologías sanitarias, la cual fue aprobada mediante la Resolución N° 111-IETSI-ESSALUD-2021 del Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación (IETSI). Bajo dicho contexto, el presente documento expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad del uso de brentuximab más quimioterapia para el tratamiento de linfoma periférico de células T, subtipo anaplásico de células grandes, sistémico, CD30+ ALK-, en pacientes sin tratamiento previo. ASPECTOS GENERALES: En el Dictamen Preliminar N° 003-SDEPFYOTS-DETS-IETSI-2017 se detalla los aspectos generales de los linfomas no Hodgkin de células T anaplásicos. Brevemente, los linfomas son neoplasias del sistema linfático. Éstos se dividen en los linfomas de ........ Hodgkin (LH) y linfomas no Hodgkin (LNH). Específicamente, dentro de los LNH, los 04. linfomas periféricos de células T (LPCT) son agresivos y raros y se encuentran dentro del grupo de los trastornos linfoproliferativos CD30 positivo que afectan a los ganglios linfáticos y las regiones extraganglionares. Por otro lado, los linfomas anaplásicos de células grandes (ALCL, por sus siglas en inglés) constituyen aproximadamente el 3 % de los LNH y cerca del 15 % de los linfomas periféricos (Morton et al., 2006). La presencia de la mutación (translocación cromosómica) en el gen ALK se ha asociado con un mejor pronóstico clínico que aquellos tumores que no presentan dicha mutación (ALK negativo). En un análisis de sobrevida a los cincos años, publicado por Gayscone et al., se observó que la sobrevida de los pacientes ALK positivo era de aproximadamente 93 %, mientras que en los pacientes ALK negativo éste fue de alrededor de 37 %. Asimismo, se estima que aproximadamente el 60 % de los ALCL, CD30 positivo son ALK positivo (Gascoyne et al., 1999). En general, los pacientes con ALCL tienen características clínicas similares a otros linfomas agresivos con adenopatías de rápido crecimiento, y aproximadamente dos tercios de los pacientes debutan con estadio III o IV y compromiso extra-nodal (Kadin & Carpenter, 2003). El ALCL representa cerca del 3 % de los LNH en adultos y del 10 al 20 % de los LNH en niños. No obstante, el ALCL ALK negativo suele ocurrir en adultos mayores con una edad media de 55 años (Stein et al., 2000). METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad del uso de brentuximab en el tratamiento de linfoma de células T anaplásico, ALK negativo. Esta búsqueda se realizó utilizando las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library y LILACS. Adicionalmente, se realizó una búsqueda manual del listado de referencias bibliográficas de los estudios seleccionados a fin de identificar otros estudios que pudieran ser útiles para la presente evaluación. Por otro lado, se amplió la búsqueda revisando la evidencia generada por grupos internacionales que realizan revisiones sistemáticas (RS), evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS) y guías de práctica clínica (GPC), tales como el Cochrane Group, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), y The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Esta búsqueda se completó revisando publicaciones de grupos dedicados a la educación, investigación y mejora de la práctica clínica oncológica y hematológica dentro de América y Europa, como The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), y The American Society of Hematology (ASH). Finalmente, se hizo una búsqueda adicional en la página web del registro de ensayos clínicos administrado por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los Estados Unidos (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) y The International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) (https://apps.who.int/trialsearch/), para poder identificar ensayos clínicos en curso o cuyos resultados no hayan sido publicados para, de este modo, disminuir el riesgo de sesgo de publicación. Las estrategias de la búsqueda para identificar la evidencia de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) se encuentran en las Tablas 1, 2 y 3 del Material Suplementario. La búsqueda de literatura consideró GPC, priorizando aquellas que elaboraran recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia; considerando además aquellas guías de referencia para los servicios de oncología y hematología de la institución; ETS; revisiones sistemáticas con meta-análisis de ECA; y ECA que abordaran la pregunta PICO del presente dictamen. Se incluyeron las publicaciones en inglés y español. Se excluyeron los ensayos clínicos no aleatorizados, los estudios observacionales, las series de casos, los reportes de casos, las cartas al editor, los comentarios, las editoriales y los resúmenes de congresos. La selección de los estudios fue llevada a cabo en dos fases. La primera fase por título y resúmenes fue realizada por dos evaluadores de manera independiente a través del aplicativo web Rayyan (https://rayyan.qcri.org), la cual permitió preseleccionar los estudios a incluir y/o los que requerían más información para decidir. La segunda fase fue realizada por un evaluador y consistió en la revisión de los criterios de elegibilidad empleando el texto completo de los estudios que fueron preseleccionados. RESULTADOS: La búsqueda de literatura permitió identificar seis publicaciones que aportan información de relevancia para fines de la presente actualización: dos GPC, la guía de National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN, 2021) y la guía de British Society for Hematology(Fox et al., 2021); dos ETS(CADTH, 2020; NICE, 2020), y dos publicaciones del ECA ECHELON-2 (Horwitz et al., 20191, 2021). Este ensayo ha sido utilizado como la evidencia central en las recomendaciones de las GPC y en las ETS, y es considerado como la evidencia central de la presente evaluación. CONCLUSIÓN: Por todo lo expuesto, el IETSI no aprueba el uso de brentuximab para el diagnóstico de linfoma periférico de células T, anaplásico de células grandes sistémico, CD30 positivo y ALK negativo, en pacientes sin tratamiento previo.

Eficacia y seguridad de alectinib en pacientes adultos con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas, ALK positivo, metastásico, con ECOG 0-2 y que han progresado a quimioterapia y a un inhibidor de alk de primera generación / Efficacy and safety of alectinib in adult patients with ECOG 0-2 metastatic ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer who have progressed on chemotherapy and a first-generation alk inhibitor

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el 2020, el cáncer de pulmón se registró como la primera causa de muerte por cáncer a nivel mundial. Ese mismo año, en Perú, se registraron 2888 casos nuevos y 2595 muertes. Alrededor del 85 % de los casos de cáncer de pulmón son de células no pequeñas (CPCNP), los cuales tienen una sobrevida a los 5 años entre 1 % a 16 %. Los pacientes que son diagnosticados con CPCNP en estadio metastásico presentan una mediana de sobrevida menor a 1 año. Del 4 % al 7 % de pacientes con CPCNP son ALK positivo. Las opciones de terapia sistémica para los pacientes con CPCNP metastásico, ALK positivo son los inhibidores de ALK y la quimioterapia. Algunas guías de práctica clínica (GPC) recomiendan el uso de inhibidores de ALK en las tres primeras líneas de tratamiento. Asimismo, recomiendan el uso de la quimioterapia como una opción de tratamiento a partir de la progresión a la primera línea de tratamiento con inhibidores de ALK. En EsSalud, actualmente se dispone de quimioterapia como la alternativa de tratamiento farmacológico de tercera línea para los pacientes con CPCNP, metastásico, ALK positivo. Aunque en EsSalud no se ha aprobado el uso de inhibidores de ALK para las primeras líneas de tratamiento, existe un grupo de pacientes con CPCNP, metastásico, ALK positivo que han recibido tratamiento con quimioterapia y un inhibidor de ALK de primera generación, por fuera de la institución, y la enfermedad ha progresado. Para estos pacientes, los especialistas en oncología de EsSalud sugieren el uso de alectinib (i.e. inhibidor de ALK de segunda generación) como una mejor opción de tratamiento frente a quimioterapia. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la mejor evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia y seguridad de alectinib, comparado con quimioterapia, para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con CPCNP, metastásico, ALK positivo, con estado funcional según la escala del Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2 y que han progresado a quimioterapia y a un inhibidor de ALK de primera generación. METODOLOGÍA: Tras la búsqueda de la literatura se identificó una evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS) desarrollada por la Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) en el 2018; y un ensayo clínico aleatorizado (ECA) de fase III denominado ALUR publicado por Novello et al. en el 2018. Adicionalmente, se incluyó una GPC desarrollada por la National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) en el 2021. Aunque esta GPC no presenta recomendaciones específicas para la población objetivo del presente dictamen (pacientes que progresan a quimioterapia y un inhibidor de ALK de primera generación), fue incluida por ser considerada una guía de referencia para los médicos especialistas en oncología de EsSalud. RESULTADOS: La presente sinopsis describe la evidencia científica sobre el uso de alectinib como tratamiento de pacientes adultos con CPCNP, metastásico, ALK positivo, con ECOG 0-2 y que progresa a quimioterapia y a un inhibidor de ALK de primera generación, según el tipo de publicación. CONCLUSIONES: El objetivo del presente dictamen fue evaluar la mejor evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia y seguridad de alectinib, comparado con la quimioterapia, para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con CPCNP, metastásico, ALK positivo, con ECOG 0-2 y que progresa a quimioterapia y a un inhibidor de ALK de primera generación. Luego de la búsqueda de la literatura se identificó una GPC desarrollada por la NCCN; una ETS desarrollada por la CADTH; y un ECA fase III denominado ALUR publicado por Novello et al. La población objetivo tiene enfermedad avanzada con expectativa de vida corta; por lo cual requiere un tratamiento que mejore su sobrevida y calidad de vida disminuyendo el riesgo de EA serios. La guía de la NCCN recomienda el uso de alectinib, sin mencionar en su recomendación si el paciente progresó o no también a quimioterapia. Aunque esta recomendación podría ser aplicable a la población objetivo del presente dictamen, se sustenta en estudios con bajo nivel de evidencia. La ETS de la CADTH concluyó que el beneficio de alectinib en la SG es incierto. Por ello, condicionó el uso de alectinib a un descuento confidencial en su precio, haciéndolo costo-efectivo para el sistema de salud canadiense. Estos acuerdos económicos no son factibles en EsSalud por tratarse de contextos económicos y sanitarios distintos. La empresa farmacéutica Roche no presentó evidencia que respalde el uso de alectinib ante otras agencias evaluadoras como el NICE y SMC; por tal motivo dichas agencias no pudieron emitir recomendaciones o no recomendaron el uso de alectinib. El ECA ALUR de fase III y etiqueta abierta, evaluó alectinib frente a quimioterapia en pacientes adultos con CPCNP, avanzado o metastásico, ALK positivo, que progresaron a quimioterapia y a crizotinib. Los resultados interinos de la SG no mostraron diferencia entre alectinib y quimioterapia. Los resultados en ClinicalTrial.gov, desde la aleatorización hasta el final del estudio (hasta 33 meses) mostraron una mayor mortalidad en el grupo alectinib. El eventual uso de alectinib con eficacia y seguridad inciertas, que muestra un mayor número de muertes y EA serios frente a quimioterapia, no sería adecuado; considerando que, en EsSalud, se dispone de la quimioterapia como alternativa de tratamiento. En ese sentido, el costo de oportunidad de alectinib no sería favorable. Por lo expuesto, el IETSI no aprueba el uso de alectinib para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con CPCNP, metastásico, ALK positivo, con ECOG 0-2 y que progresa a quimioterapia y a crizotinib.

Development and validation of UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors, alectinib, ceritinib, and crizotinib in Wistar rat plasma with application to bromelain-induced pharmacokinetic interaction.

Bromelain, the aqueous extract of pineapple, has been used as a food supplement with reported nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Bromelain has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and fibrinolytic effects. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors, including alectinib (ALC), ceritinib (CER), and crizotinib (CRZ), have been efficiently used in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The solubility of ALC, CER, and CRZ is much higher at low acidic pH (pH 1) and it decreases as the pH increases affecting their absorption with a subsequent decrease in their bioavailability. It was thought that the intake of bromelain could result in a decrease in the bioavailability of ALC, CER, and CRZ due to bromelain-induced alkalizing effect following digestion. On the contrary, bromelain could possibly increase plasma exposure of the cited drugs due to its known muco-permeation enhancing effect. The therapeutic-anticancer effect of bromelain can be possibly increased/enhanced with concomitant intake of other anticancer medications or it can add to the value of food supplements for its known nutritional benefits. Thus, this work aims at studying the possibility of any PK interaction when bromelain was taken while on ALC/CER/CRZ therapy. In this work, a new UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of ALC, CER, and CRZ in rat plasma. Further application of the proposed method was performed to test the possibility of the PK interaction between bromelain and the selected ALK inhibitors in Wistar rats. Simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile was used for sample preparation. Chromatographic analysis was performed on Waters BEH™ C18 column with a mixture of acetonitrile/water containing 0.1 % formic acid (70: 30, v/v) as the mobile phase. The method permitted the analysis of ALC, CER, and CRZ in concentration ranges of 2-200, 0.4-200, and 4.0-200 ng/mL, respectively. Bromelain administration caused a significant decrease in plasma levels of CER and CRZ with lowered Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞, along with an increase in the apparent clearance. However, no significant effect was noticed with ALC. Thus, attention should be paid to avoid the intake of bromelain with CER or CRZ.

A patient with ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma who survived alectinib-refractory postoperative recurrence for 4 years by switching to ceritinib.

Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) rearrangements are found in ~ 5% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed for treatment of so-called ALK-positive NSCLC. In cases of tumor progression during treatment with second-generation ALK-TKIs, such as alectinib, brigatinib, or ceritinib, National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines propose a switch to lorlatinib, a third-generation ALK-TKI, or to cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, they do not mention switching to other second-generation ALK-TKIs. Here, we present a rare case of a 53-year-old Japanese woman, who had never smoked, with ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma who survived alectinib-resistant postoperative recurrence for 4 years by switching to ceritinib. She underwent curative resection for lung adenocarcinoma, but the cancer recurred at the bronchial stump and mediastinal lymph nodes. After platinum-doublet chemotherapy, the patient still had a single growing liver metastasis, but the tumor was found to harbor EML4-ALK rearrangement. Therefore, the patient started to take ALK-TKIs. Alectinib was the second ALK-TKI used to treat this patient. Alectinib shrank the liver metastasis, which was surgically resected. The tumor relapsed again during continued treatment with alectinib, which was switched to ceritinib. Ceritinib was effective for the relapsed tumor and treatment continued well for 4 years. This case report suggests that, in case of tumor progression during treatment with a second-generation ALK-TKI, switching to another second-generation ALK-TKI may be one of the treatment options. Further analyses are warranted to find robust markers to determine which ALK-TKI is best for each patient.

Adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network ALK Testing Guidelines for Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in U.S. Community Medical Centers.

BACKGROUND: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend biomarker testing as the first step in the management of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). We assessed anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) testing rates and factors related to underuse in community medical systems between 2012 and 2019 to understand guideline adoption. METHODS: A retrospective observational study using a nationwide electronic health record (EHR)-derived deidentified database was conducted. Patients with aNSCLC diagnosed in community medical centers from January 2012 to May 2019 were included to describe the ALK testing trend. This cohort was further restricted to patients diagnosed after 2015 to understand factors associated with testing underuse using mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Trends for increased ALK testing rates by year were observed in both NCCN guideline-eligible patients (59.5% in 2012 to 84.1% in 2019) and -ineligible patients (15.6% to 50.8%) in a cohort of 41,728 patients. Histology type and smoking status had the greatest impact on test use. Compared with patients with nonsquamous histology and no smoking history, patients with squamous histology and no smoking history (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-10.4), NSCLC histology not otherwise specified (NOS) with smoking history (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.8-4.2); NSCLC NOS/nonsmoker (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2), and nonsquamous/smoker (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7) were less likely to be tested. Factors related to underuse also included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, stage at initial diagnosis, and demographics. CONCLUSION: This analysis of real-world data shows increasing test use by year; however, one fifth of patients eligible for ALK testing still remain untested and potentially missing therapeutic options. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Advancement in treatment of lung cancer is accompanied by an increasing number of tests that should be run to determine potential therapy options for each patient. This study assessed adoption of testing recommendations for anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements in a national database. Although test use increased over the time period studied (2012-2019), there is still room for improvement. Efforts are needed to increase test use in undertested groups, thus enabling eligible patients to benefit from novel lung cancer therapies.

Discovery of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors from natural product library: A holistic in silico approach.

Over the years, phytochemical compounds have shown compelling evidences in exhibiting powerful antitumor properties. Moreover, due to the lack of safety and high cost of cancer therapies, opportunities are being sought out in these compounds as an alternative treatment modality. Therefore, in the present study, 1,574 compounds from NPACT library were examined to excavate potent and nontoxic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors. Notably, two pharmacophore hypotheses (AAAHP and DDRRR) were generated using ligand-based and energy-based techniques, respectively, to eliminate false-positive prediction in database screening. Furthermore, molecular docking and Prime MM/GBSA analysis were performed on the screened compounds to examine inhibitory activity against ALK. The analysis revealed that the two hits, namely, NPACT00018 and NPACT01077, exhibited better docking scores, binding energies, and also ensured excellent drug-likeness properties than the reference compound, crizotinib. Finally, the results were subjected to molecular dynamics studies to gain insight into the stability of these compounds in the binding pocket of ALK protein. Indeed, the useful predictions generated by the present computational models are of immense importance and could further speed up the anticancer drug development in the near future.

N-[18F]-Fluoroacetylcrizotinib: A potentially potent and selective PET tracer for molecular imaging of non-small cell lung cancer.

N-[18F]fluoroacetylcrizotinib, a fluorine-18 labeled derivative of the first FDA approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for the treatment of Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), crizotinib, was successfully synthesized for use in positron emission tomography (PET). Sequential in vitro biological evaluation of fluoracetylcrizotinib and in vivo biodistribution studies of [18F]fluoroacetylcrizotinib demonstrated that the biological activity of the parent compound remained unchanged, with potent ALK kinase inhibition and effective tumor growth inhibition. These results show that [18F]fluoroacetylcrizotinib has the potential to be a promising PET ligand for use in NSCLC imaging. The utility of PET in this context provides a non-invasive, quantifiable method to inform on the pharmacokinetics of an ALK-inhibitor such as crizotinib prior to a clinical trial, as well as during a trial in the event of acquired drug resistance.

A Clinicopathological Study of 29 Spitzoid Melanocytic Lesions With ALK Fusions, Including Novel Fusion Variants, Accompanied by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Analysis for Chromosomal Copy Number Changes, and Both TERT Promoter and Next-Generation Sequencing Mutation Analysis.

ALK-fused spitzoid neoplasms represent a distinctive group of melanocytic lesions. To date, few studies addressed genetic and chromosomal alterations in these lesions beyond the ALK rearrangements. Our objective was to study genetic alterations, including ALK gene fusions, telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERT-p) mutations, chromosomal copy number changes, and mutations in other genes. We investigated 29 cases of Spitz lesions (11 Spitz nevi and 18 atypical Spitz tumors), all of which were ALK immunopositive. There were 16 female and 13 male patients, with age ranging from 1 to 43 years (mean, 18.4 years). The most common location was the lower extremity. Microscopically, all neoplasms were polypoid or dome shaped with a plexiform, predominantly dermally located proliferation of fusiform to spindled melanocytes with mild to moderate pleomorphism. The break-apart test for ALK was positive in 17 of 19 studied cases. ALK fusions were detected in 23 of 26 analyzable cases by Archer FusionPlex Solid Tumor Kit. In addition to the previously described rearrangements, 3 novel fusions, namely, KANK1-ALK, MYO5A-ALK, and EEF2-ALK, were found. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for copy number changes yielded one case with the loss of RREB1 among 21 studied cases. TERT-p hotspot mutation was found in 1 of 23 lesions. The mutation analysis of 271 cancer-related genes using Human Comprehensive Cancer Panel was performed in 4 cases and identified in each case mutations in several genes with unknown significance, except for a pathogenic variant in the BLM gene. Our study confirms that most ALK fusion spitzoid neoplasms can be classified as atypical Spitz tumors, which occurs in young patients with acral predilection and extends the spectrum of ALK fusions in spitzoid lesions, including 3 hitherto unreported fusions. TERT-p mutations and chromosomal copy number changes involving 6p25 (RRB1), 11q13 (CCND1), 6p23 (MYB), 9p21 (CDKN2A), and 8q24 (MYC) are rare in these lesions. The significance of mutation in other genes remains unknown.

Successful alectinib desensitization in a patient with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive adenocarcinoma of the lung and alectinib-induced drug rash.

INTRODUCTION: Alectinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) as the preferred first-line treatment option for the treatment of metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Skin toxicity is a known adverse effect of this medication, yet current recommendations are unclear regarding how to best manage patients who develop severe skin toxicity while taking alectinib. CASE REPORT: Here, we describe a case of successful rechallenge with alectinib by utilizing a desensitization procedure in a patient who had developed severe alectinib-induced skin toxicity about two weeks into treatment.Management and outcome: Upon resolution of the initial skin toxicity symptoms, the patient was rechallenged with alectinib using a modified version of a previously published desensitization procedure. The patient tolerated the rechallenge with no recurrence of skin toxicity or other adverse effects and was able to continue treatment with alectinib. DISCUSSION: Alectinib is currently recommended as the preferred first-line treatment option for the treatment of metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangement-positive NSCLC due to improved progression-free survival when compared to crizotinib. The development of skin toxicity can lead to early discontinuation of alectinib treatment, forcing providers and patients to select alternative, potentially less effective options. This case report provides evidence that patients who have experienced severe skin toxicity due to alectinib may be able to continue this first-line treatment option by rechallenging them using a desensitization procedure.

Pharmacological and clinical properties of lorlatinib in the treatment of ALK-rearranged advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 3-7% of advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are driven by an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement. Crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, and brigatinib are active ALK inhibitors (ALKi) used to treat this oncogene-driven subset of NSCLC. Resistance occurs with time to ALKi and new therapeutics are being developed. Lorlatinib is an efficacious third-generation ALKi with an ability to overcome resistance mutations that develop with first- or second-generation ALKi. AREAS COVERED: Herein, the authors review the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and safety of lorlatinib and provide their future perspectives on this drug. EXPERT COMMENTARY: Lorlatinib is a potent ALK and ROS-1 inhibitor that also has activity against many acquired ALK resistance mutations. Clinical trials show the robust systemic and intracranial anti-tumor activity of lorlatinib in ALK rearranged advanced NSCLC. Adverse events of lorlatinib are unique and manageable. These include hypocholesteremia, hypertriglyceridemia, edema, cognitive effects, weight gain, and diarrhea. Loratinib will play an increasing role in the management of ALK-rearranged NSCLC with the optimal sequencing of ALKi undergoing further research.

Genomic Signature of Driver Genes Identified by Target Next-Generation Sequencing in Chinese Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common human malignancies and the leading cause of cancer-related death. Over the past few decades, genomic alterations of cancer driver genes have been identified in NSCLC, and molecular testing and targeted therapies have become standard care for lung cancer patients. Here we studied the unique genomic profile of driver genes in Chinese patients with NSCLC by next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,200 Chinese patients with NSCLC were enrolled in this study. The median age was 60 years (range: 26-89), and 83% cases were adenocarcinoma. NGS-based genomic profiling of major lung cancer-related genes was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples and matched blood. RESULTS: Approximately 73.9% of patients with NSCLC harbored at least one actionable alteration recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ALK, ERBB2, MET, BRAF, RET, and ROS1. Twenty-seven patients (2.2%) harbored inherited germline mutations of cancer susceptibility genes. The frequencies of EGFR genomic alterations (both mutations and amplification) and ALK rearrangement were identified as 50.1% and 7.8% in Chinese NSCLC populations, respectively, and significantly higher than the Western population. Fifty-six distinct uncommon EGFR mutations other than L858R, exon19del, exon20ins, or T790M were identified in 18.9% of patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. About 7.4% of patients harbored both sensitizing and uncommon mutations, and 11.6% of patients harbored only uncommon EGFR mutations. The uncommon EGFR mutations more frequently combined with the genomic alterations of ALK, CDKN2A, NTRK3, TSC2, and KRAS. In patients <40 years of age, the ALK-positive percentage was up to 28.2%. Moreover, 3.2% of ALK-positive patients harbored multi ALK rearrangements, and seven new partner genes were identified. CONCLUSION: More unique features of cancer driver genes in Chinese NSCLC were identified by next-generation sequencing. These findings highlighted that NGS technology is more feasible and necessary than other molecular testing methods, and suggested that the special strategies are needed for drug development and targeted therapy for Chinese patients with NSCLC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Molecular targeted therapy is now the standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Samples of 1,200 Chinese patients with NSCLC were analyzed through next-generation sequencing to characterize the unique feature of uncommon EGFR mutations and ALK fusion. The results showed that 7.4% of EGFR-mutant patients harbored both sensitizing and uncommon mutations and 11.6% harbored only uncommon mutations. Uncommon EGFR mutations more frequently combined with the genomic alterations of ALK, CDKN2A, NTRK3, TSC2, and KRAS. ALK fusion was more common in younger patients, and the frequency decreased monotonically with age. 3.2% of ALK-positive patients harbored multi ALK rearrangement, and seven new partner genes were identified.

Eficacia y seguridad del uso de alectinib en el tratamiento de primera línea de pacientes con cáncer metastásico de pulmón de células no pequeñas ALK-positivo / Efficacy and safety of alectinib in the first-line treatment of patients with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCCIÓN: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de tecnología de la eficacia y seguridad de alectinib en el tratamiento de primera línea de cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas metastásico ALK-positivo. El cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas se encuentra entre los tipos más letales de cáncer. De todos los tipos de cáncer de pulmón, alrededor del 85% corresponden al cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas (NSCLC), y entre el 3 % y el 7 % presentan mutaciones de la quinasa del linfoma anaplásico (ALK). La sobrevida a 5 años de los pacientes con NSCLC se encuentra entre 1 % y 16 %. El tratamiento para pacientes en estadio IV es por lo general terapia sistémica o manejo paliativo. Dependiendo del perfil clínico del paciente, existe la posibilidad de quimioterapia, terapia molecular dirigida o inmunoterapia. Para pacientes con cáncer metastásico ALK-positivo específicamente, la recomendación de primera línea por parte de las guías de práctica clínica (GPC) es el uso de inhibidores de ALK. Un inhibidor de ALK, crizotinib, ha sido evaluado previamente por el IETSI para el tratamiento de primera línea de NSCLC metastásico ALK-positivo, mediante el Dictamen Preliminar N° 004-SDEPFyOTS-DETS-IETSI-2018 y el Dictamen Preliminar N° 019-SDEPFyOTS-DETS-IETSI-2016, en los cuales no se aprobó el uso por fuera del petitorio de dicho fármaco ya que no ha probado con solidez ser mejor que quimioterapia para los desenlaces de relevancia desde la perspectiva del paciente (i.e., SG y calidad de vida). Así, crizotinib ha mostrado únicamente una diferencia de 3 meses en la SLP con respecto a quimioterapia. En EsSalud se cuenta en la actualidad con quimioterapia basada en platino como alternativa de tratamiento sistémico de primera línea para pacientes con NSCLC avanzado o metastásico. No obstante, los especialistas consideran que podría existir un beneficio adicional del uso de alectinib como tratamiento dirigido de primera línea en el grupo particular de pacientes con rearreglo ALK-positivo. Frente a ello, se ha enviado al IETSI la solicitud de evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad del uso de alectinib, en comparación con quimioterapia, en el tratamiento de primera línea de pacientes con NSCLC metastásico ALK-positivo. METODOLOGÍA: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad de alectinib en el tratamiento de cáncer de pulmón ALK-positivo en las bases de datos de PubMed, TRIP y www.clinicaltrials.gov. Adicionalmente, se realizó una búsqueda de evaluaciones de tecnologías y guías de práctica clínica en las páginas web de grupos dedicados a la investigación y educación en salud en general como la National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), Instituto de Evaluación de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS), Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnología en Salud (IETS); y especializados en oncología como European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) y American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). La estrategia de búsqueda en PubMed se encuentra desarrollada en la Tabla 1 del material suplementario. RESULTADOS: De acuerdo con la pregunta PICO, se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de evidencia científica relacionada al uso de alectinib en el tratamiento de primera línea en cáncer de pulmón metastásico ALK-positivo. En la presente sinopsis se describe la evidencia disponible según el tipo de publicación, siguiendo lo indicado en los criterios de elegibilidad (GPC, ETS, RS, MA y ECA fase III). CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia central en torno a alectinib en NSCLC proviene del ECA de fase III de etiqueta abierta ALEX de la comparación entre alectinib y crizotinib, como una aproximación a la comparación entre alectinib y quimioterapia, siendo que crizotinib se ha comparado previamente con quimioterapia. Este ECA ha sido utilizado también por las GPC (ESMO y NCCN) y ETS (NICE, CADTH y SMC) identificadas y descritas. Adicionalmente, se consideran los resultados del ECA J-ALEX, a sugerencia del especialista. Las GPC identificadas de ESMO y NCCN recomiendan el uso de alectinib en el tratamiento de primera línea de pacientes con NSCLC metastásico ALK-positivo sobre la base de los ensayos ALEX, sin mencionar quimioterapia como una alternativa para esta población especifica. En estas guías, la quimioterapia está recomendada como primera línea en los pacientes que mostraron resultados negativos a las pruebas moleculares, ya que ha sido el estándar de tratamiento para NSCLC en general antes de la aparición de las terapias dirigidas, y lo sigue siendo para pacientes sin las variaciones moleculares estudiadas a la fecha. Con respecto a esto, es importante mencionar que ninguno de los inhibidores de ALK incluidos en las GPC como alternativas de primera línea para pacientes ALK-positivo ha mostrado a la fecha ser mejor que quimioterapia en términos de SG, que es el desenlace duro de relevancia desde la perspectiva del paciente. A pesar de ello, los inhibidores de ALK se han consolidado en las GPC como la alternativa de primera línea por las diferencias con quimioterapia en términos de SLP, que como se mencionó, no ha sido validado como subrogado de SG. Por otra parte, las ETS de NICE del Reino Unido, SMC de Escocia y CADTH de Canadá recomiendan el financiamiento de alectinib en sus respectivos contextos, en todos los casos sujeta a un descuento confidencial por parte de la compañía comercializadora de manera que el fármaco sea costo-efectivo en cada país. De acuerdo con los elaboradores de las ETS, la necesidad de un acuerdo económico surge de la incertidumbre con respecto al beneficio neto de alectinib en términos de SG, basándose en el ECA ALEX; y en el diseño de etiqueta abierta del estudio por los potenciales sesgos que se pueden introducir sobre los desenlaces blandos de relevancia (i.e., calidad de vida) como el sesgo del observador. El ECA ALEX identificado no permite, a la fecha, concluir con respecto al beneficio neto de alectinib, en comparación con crizotinib, sobre los desenlaces definidos como de relevancia clínica, que son la SG y la calidad de vida. Este reporta un aumento en la SLP de aproximadamente 15 meses. Sin embargo, la capacidad predictiva de la SLP sobre la SG y la calidad de vida aún no ha sido estudiada, por lo que su validez como desenlace subrogado de estos desenlaces de relevancia clínica es aún desconocida. Frente a ello, el beneficio de alectinib sobre la SG y la calidad de vida aún no se ha podido determinar, hasta que se publiquen los resultados de seguimiento del ensayo ALEX o de otros ensayos en desarrollo. Entonces, se tiene que, con la evidencia disponible a la fecha sobre alectinib, y considerando su alto costo, no es posible asumir un perfil de costo-oportunidad favorable para sistemas públicos de servicios de salud, ya que no se ha encontrado que este sea superior a quimioterapia (ni a crizotinib como una aproximación a quimioterapia) en términos de calidad de vida a la fecha de publicación del ECA, ni que presente un mejor perfil de seguridad, y aun no se ha podido determinar su beneficio neto en cuanto a la SG. Ello impide que se pueda sustentar técnicamente una recomendación favorable para el uso de este medicamento. Se queda a la espera de las futuras publicaciones con un mayor tiempo de seguimiento que permitan determinar si el aumento en 15 meses de la SLP observado con el uso de alectinib con respecto a crizotinib (como una aproximación a la comparación con quimioterapia, siendo que crizotinib ha mostrado previamente aumentar la SLP frente a quimioterapia), se llega a traducir en una ganancia en SG y calidad de vida, lo cual a este punto aún no se puede llegar a calcular dado que no se tienen estudios de validación que permitan conocer la capacidad predictiva de la SLP respecto a dichos desenlaces finales. Por lo expuesto, el el Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación (IETSI), no aprueba el uso fuera del petitorio de alectinib en el tratamiento de primera línea de pacientes con NSCLC metastásico ALK-positivo.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the prostate after transurethral resection of the prostate with negative expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase: a case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are a rare type of soft-tissue tumor. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are characterized by rearrangements involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene locus on 2p23. Case Report: We report the case of a 67-year-old Chinese male who presented with dysuria and fever. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an irregular prostatic mass with an isointense signal and obscure boundary. Histopathological evaluation showed that the mass consisted mainly of spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed that the tumor cells were negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory myofibroblastic prostate tumors are rare lesions with unclear etiology. The pathological diagnosis is very important.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the prostate after transurethral resection of the prostate with negative expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase: a case report.

CONTEXT: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are a rare type of soft-tissue tumor. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are characterized by rearrangements involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene locus on 2p23. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 67-year-old Chinese male who presented with dysuria and fever. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an irregular prostatic mass with an isointense signal and obscure boundary. Histopathological evaluation showed that the mass consisted mainly of spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed that the tumor cells were negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory myofibroblastic prostate tumors are rare lesions with unclear etiology. The pathological diagnosis is very important.

Discovery of N-{2-Methoxy-4-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl]phenyl}-N'-[2-(propane-2-sulfonyl)phenyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (ASP3026), a Potent and Selective Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitor.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a validated therapeutic target for treating echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We synthesized a series of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives and identified ASP3026 (14a) as a potent and selective ALK inhibitor. In mice xenografted with NCI-H2228 cells expressing EML4-ALK, once-daily oral administration of 14a demonstrated dose-dependent antitumor activity. Here, syntheses and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives are described.

A major component of vitamin E, α-tocopherol inhibits the anti-tumor activity of crizotinib against cells transformed by EML4-ALK.

Crizotinib is an inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and is of significant therapeutic benefit to patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring the EML4-ALK fusion gene. In the present study, we demonstrated that α-tocopherol, a major component of vitamin E, attenuated the effects of crizotinib independently of its anti-oxidant properties. α-Tocopherol significantly inhibited crizotinib-induced apoptosis in cells transformed by EML4-ALK. It also effectively attenuated the crizotinib-induced inhibition of EML4-ALK and its downstream molecules, STAT3 and ERK, and suppressed the inhibitory effects of crizotinib on EML4-ALK-mediated transformation in the focus formation assay. On the other hand, other members of the vitamin E family, namely, ß-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and α-tocotrienol, and a water-soluble analog of vitamin E, Trolox had no effects on the anti-tumor activity of crizotinib in cells transformed by EML4-ALK. Collectively, these results revealed the risk of the anti-tumor activity of crizotinib being attenuated when it is administrated in combination with vitamin E supplements containing α-tocopherol as a major component.

Discovery of Potent ALK Inhibitors Using Pharmacophore-Informatics Strategy.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase is a tyrosine kinase receptor protein belonging to insulin receptor superfamily. Gene fusions in anaplastic lymphoma kinase are associated with non-small cell lung cancer development. Hence, they are of immense importance in targeted therapies. Thus, for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, effective anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors are of great significance. Therefore, our objective is to find hit compounds that could have better inhibitory activity than the existing anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors. Keeping this in mind, in the present study pharmacophore based virtual screening was performed to identify possible anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors. Initially, a five-point common pharmacophore hypothesis was generated based on twelve anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors using PHASE module of Schrödinger. Subsequently, common pharmacophore hypothesis-based screening was conducted against in-trials subset of ZINC database and a total of 1000 hits were identified. The molecules obtained were further screened by three stages of docking using GLIDE software. The docking results reveal that six hit molecules showed higher glide score in comparison with the reference molecules. Finally, pharmacokinetic properties of the hit molecules were also analysed using QikProp programme. The results indicate that molecules namely videx, dexecadotril, chloramphenicol, naficillin were found to have good pharmacokinetic properties and human oral absorption. Moreover, videx, naficillin and chloramphenicol were found to have significant inhibitory activity for mutant (F1174L) anaplastic lymphoma kinase. It was also found that videx exhibited crucial interactions with the Met1199 residue of the native and mutant anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein. Furthermore, PASS algorithm predicted anti-neoplastic activity for all the four molecules. Thus these hits are found to be promising leads for anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors. We believe that this study will be useful for the discovery and designing of more potent anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors in the near future.