Medical Services

Neuroblastoma is an uncommon paediatric malignancy that arises from immature nerve cells, generally located in the adrenal glands or sympathetic nervous system. A substantial subset of neuroblastomas is characterised by modifications to the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene, which is crucial to cellular proliferation and viability. Mutations in ALK can be passed down from one generation to the next (familial neuroblastoma) or can happen on their own (sporadic neuroblastoma). These mutations cause the ALK protein to be activated in an incorrect way, which leads to uncontrolled cell growth and tumour growth.

Neuroblastomas with ALK mutations are more common in younger children and may be more aggressive. Abdominal lumps, pain, fever, and neurological problems in advanced instances are some of the most common symptoms. Imaging, histology, and molecular testing are some of the ways to identify ALK mutations.
Finding out what ALK does has led to targeted treatments like ALK inhibitors (like crizotinib and lorlatinib), which have shown promise in improving outcomes, especially in cases when the disease comes back or doesn't respond to other treatments. A new method in clinical trials is to use ALK inhibitors with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Early diagnosis of ALK mutations is essential for precision medicine, facilitating customised therapy regimens that enhance the prognosis and reduce superfluous toxicity in paediatric patients.