title: The biology and treatment of EML4-ALK non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: The fusion between echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has recently been identified in a subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). EML4-ALK is most often detected in never smokers with lung cancer and has unique pathologic features. EML4-ALK is oncogenic both in vitro and in vivo and ALK kinase inhibitors are quite effective in pre-clinical model systems. More recently ALK inhibitors have entered clinical development and remarkably clinical efficacy has been observed in NSCLC patients harbouring EML4-ALK translocations. This review will focus on the biology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of EML4-ALK NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rodig
authors.forename: Lucian R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Chirieac
authors.forename: Pasi A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Jänne
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D009154:Mutation; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C522504:EML4-ALK fusion protein, human; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases