Targeted therapy with anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer even with brain metastasis

Abstract

The incidence of brain metastases has increased as a result of improved systemic disease control and advances in imaging. Brain metastasis can occur approximately in 25-40% of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and it is a frequent cause of death. Stereotactic radiosurgery, whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or surgical resection are the local treatment modalities for brain metastases which are feasible either alone, in combination, or as sequential treatments. Resistance to systemic therapy for brain metastasis poses significant clinical problems. In anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive NSCLC patients; ALK inhibitors may provide a new treatment option for brain metastasis and could improve overall survival (OS). Even in patients with crizotinib-resistant disease, second generation ALK inhibitors display prominent clinical activity. There is rapidly emerging preclinical and clinical data showing improvement in this issue. In this article we reviewed the latest literature data concerning the brain metastases and intracranial efficacy of ALK inhibitors in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC.