Open AccessCrizotinib: A comprehensive review
Author(s) -
Anil Kumar Sahu,
Kumar Prabhash,
Vanita Noronha,
Amit Joshi,
Saral Desai
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
south asian journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-4306
pISSN - 2278-330X
DOI - 10.4103/2278-330x.110506
Subject(s) - crizotinib , anaplastic lymphoma kinase , medicine , lung cancer , alk inhibitor , adverse effect , oncology , cancer research , malignant pleural effusion
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements are present in a small subset of non-small-cell lung cancers. ALK-positivity confers sensitivity to small-molecule ALK kinase inhibitors, such as crizotinib. The integration of crizotinib into standard treatment practice in NSCLC will rest on the widespread implementation of an effective screening system for newly diagnosed patients with NSCLC which is flexible enough to incorporate new targets as treatments are developed for them. Phase I and II studies of crizotinib in ALK-positive lung cancer have demonstrated significant activity and impressive clinical benefit, which led to its early approval by USFDA in 2011. Although crizotinib induces remissions and extends the lives of patients, there have been reports of emerging resistance to Crizotinib therapy. In this review, we discuss the history, mechanism of action, uses, adverse effects, dose modifications and future challenges and opportunities for patients with ALK-positive lung cancers.