title: A new look at the ALK gene in cancer: copy number gain and amplification.
abstract: To date, ALK-rearrangement is a molecular target in several cancers, i.e. NSCLC. The dramatic benefits of crizotinib have prompted research into identifying other possible patients carrying ALK gene alterations with possible clinical significance. The ALK gene is involved not only in several rearrangements but also in other alterations such as amplification. ALK-amplification (ALK-A) is a common genetic event in several cancers, generally associated with poor outcome and more aggressive behaviour. Here we review the role of ALK-A in cancer as a prognostic and predictive biomarker. Furthermore, several critical issues regarding ALK-A in relation to; methods of detection, acquired resistance and ALK second generation inhibitors are analyzed. We conclude that ALK-A could be an intriguing alteration in the context of targeted therapy.
authors.affiliation: a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zito Marino
authors.affiliation: b Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Thoracic Surgical and Medical Oncology , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.affiliation: c Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Thoracic Surgical and Medical Oncology , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.affiliation: d Department of Heath Science, Pathology Unit , University 'Magna Graecia' of Catanzaro , Catanzaro , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mignogna
authors.affiliation: a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Intartaglia
authors.affiliation: a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liguori
authors.affiliation: a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.affiliation: a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.|e Pathology Unit , Second University of Naples - SUN , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D005784:Gene Amplification; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: ALK- inhibitors; Anaplastic lymphoma kinase; acquired resistance; amplification; copy number gain; crizotinib; fluorescence in situ hybridization