title: Targeting oncogenic ALK: a promising strategy for cancer treatment.
abstract: Recently, the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been found to be altered in several solid and hematologic tumors. Novel drugs targeting this tyrosine kinase receptor are under development, and early clinical trials are showing promising activity in non-small cell lung cancer patients with ALK+ tumors. Here, we review the structure and function of the ALK receptor, the mechanisms associated with its deregulation in cancer, methods for ALK detection in tumor samples, its potential as a new marker for candidate patient selection for tailored therapy, and novel drugs under development that target ALK.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal and Early Drug Development Unit, Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034, Madrid, Spain. egrande@oncologiahrc.com
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: María-Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Bolós
authors.forename: Edurne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arriola
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C522504:EML4-ALK fusion protein, human; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; C516714:NVP-TAE684; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D011743:Pyrimidines; C107023:p80(NPM-ALK) protein; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases