title: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase: activating mechanisms and signaling pathways.
abstract: The discovery of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) by Stephan Morris and colleagues twenty years ago has led to an unprecedented opportunity and provided the basis for a novel and clinically powerful stratification of human cancers. The molecular and biological characterization of ALK and the recognition of alternative mechanisms of activation of the tyrosine kinase receptors have then set the basis for the development and the subsequent application of selective small molecules. These achievements have fostered a new era in oncology, and the result of this new avenue has drastically changed the expectation of many cancer patients. Here we review the mechanisms of ALK activation and the modalities that drive ALK pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, DIMED, General Pathology,Cytopathology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pizzi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaudiano
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell, Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, Starr Pavilion Rm 713, New York, NY 10065 USA, ggi9001@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inghirami
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases