title: EML4-ALK testing in non-small cell carcinomas of the lung: a review with recommendations.
abstract: In non-small cell lung cancer, epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements have a major impact upon the level of response to treatment with specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This review describes the molecular basis of ALK inhibition, summarizes current data on the effectiveness and safety of ALK inhibition therapy, describes the different testing methodologies with their advantages and disadvantages, provides a suggested testing algorithm and puts forward a proposal for an external quality assessment program in ALK testing.
authors: Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.thunnissen@vumc.nl
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Thunnissen
authors: Lukas
authors: L
authors: Bubendorf
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Dietel
authors: Göran
authors: G
authors: Elmberger
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Kerr
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Lopez-Rios
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Moch
authors: Wlodzimierz
authors: W
authors: Olszewski
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Pauwels
authors: Frédérique
authors: F
authors: Penault-Llorca
authors: Giulio
authors: G
authors: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D000077547:Crizotinib; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C522504:EML4-ALK fusion protein, human; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D000077547:Crizotinib; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C415585:EML4 protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases