ALK-rearranged NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer)

ALK-positive NSCLC usually happens in younger people who don't smoke or only smoke occasionally, and it commonly looks like adenocarcinoma.

Advanced molecular tests, like fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), or next-generation sequencing (NGS), are needed to make a diagnosis. Targeted treatments, particularly ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) such as crizotinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, have transformed treatment, markedly enhancing progression-free survival and quality of life relative to chemotherapy.

The choice of treatment depends on things including the stage of the disease, previous treatments, and mutations that make the disease resistant. Regular imaging and molecular profiling aid in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and early detection of resistance.