title: Experience in integrating ALK testing and crizotinib into the routine treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Crizotinib, an inhibitor of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), is approved since 2012 in Switzerland for use in ALK-rearranged advanced pretreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we describe our own experience with crizotinib and ALK testing via fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in the first 10 ALK-positive patients who were treated in central Switzerland in 2011 on a compassionate use basis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have demonstrated that FISH testing for ALK can be performed simultaneously with other diagnostic procedures, providing oncologists with results in a timely manner to make informed decisions about patient treatment. The majority of our patients treated with crizotinib had a clinical benefit, and the drug was tolerated well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical development of crizotinib has been extremely rapid. Nonetheless, by the time crizotinib was approved, many centers including our own had local testing in place and clinical experience with the drug. This emphasizes the importance of broad clinical studies and compassionate use programs in oncology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland. oliver.gautschi@luks.ch
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gautschi
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schefer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riklin
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strobel
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diebold
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D057176:Compassionate Use Trials; D000077547:Crizotinib; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D000077547:Crizotinib; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases