Alectinib, a next generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor found to improve the symptoms associated with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small-cell lung cancer than with the standard treatment of crizotinib.
Highlights:
Lung cancer or lung carcinoma is one of the most common and serious
cancers worldwide. Lung cancer occurs due to an uncontrolled growth of abnormal
cells either in single or both lungs, which usually
affects older people. Smoking
is found to be the major cause of lung cancer, due
to the continuous inhalation of toxic
substances like nicotine. Exposure to asbestos,
radiation and high levels of air pollution are other risks that leads to lung
cancer. - The results of ALEX trial were presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC ) 2018 by Dr. Pérol supporting the use of alectinib in lung cancer.
- Alectinib, a next generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor found to be the frontline treatment in patients with ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
- When compared with the standard crizotinib therapy, alectinib improves the symptoms of lung cancer with a better toxicity profile.
Lung Cancer - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor in the lung tissues. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer with symptoms like recurrent respiratory diseases.
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor in the lung tissues. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer with symptoms like recurrent respiratory diseases.
‘Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small-cell lung cancer were treated in two separate groups with alectinib and crizotinib respectively, and found alectinib improved the symptoms of lung cancer much better when compared with crizotinib.’
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Findings of ALEX trial
The burden of symptoms in lung cancer is usually high, with episodes of chest pain, cough and difficulty in breathing. It is necessary to provide palliation in such terminal illness, with the main focus to improve the symptoms associated with lung cancer. Crizotinib, a standard medication in treating the ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer does not improve long-term symptoms of lung cancer. The phase 3 Alex trial was conducted to compare the effects of alectinib and crizotinib and the results were presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2018 by Dr. Pérol. The results of ALEX trial showed that alectinib can be a drug of choice in treating ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients were grouped into two, receiving alectinib and crizotinib respectively, and were evaluated based on the health-related quality of life and symptoms. During the study, patients were asked to complete two questionnaires - EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13.Patient groups treated with alectinib and crizotinib showed an improvement in health-related quality of life. However, patients treated with alectinib showed a longer improvement of symptoms when compared with crizotinib. Alectinib was also found to increase the progression free survival rate (PFS) and delay the disease progression into the central nervous system (CNS) than the standard crizotinib therapy.
Alectinib worsens the cognitive function in few patients with CNS metastases. However, the tolerability profile and the health-related quality of life along with improvement in symptoms was found to be superior with alectinib when compared with crizotinib. The research team suggested that alectinib can be considered as a first-line palliative treatment for ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
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Quiz on Lung Cancer
Lung cancer and smoking are closely associated. Lung cancer risk increases with the intensity of smoking. For more details, take this quiz.
Lung cancer and smoking are closely associated. Lung cancer risk increases with the intensity of smoking. For more details, take this quiz.
What are the causes of non-small-cell lung cancer?
- Tobacco smoking
- Gene changes or mutation
- Severe air pollution
- Exposure to the following
- Asbestos Smoke
- Radon
- Diesel exhaust
- Other chemicals
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Lung Cancer - Top 10 Interesting Facts You Must Know
Lung cancer can be diagnosed only in the advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, early screening is recommended for a better prognosis.
Lung cancer can be diagnosed only in the advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, early screening is recommended for a better prognosis.
How can you diagnose non-small-cell lung cancer?
- Chest X-ray
- Pulmonary function tests
- Complete blood tests
- Immunohistochemical test
- Endobronchial ultrasound
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Sputum test
- Thoracentesis
- Biopsy
- Bronchscopy
- Mediastinoscopy
- Mediastinotomy
- Thoracoscopy
- About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about.html)
- What Is Lung Cancer? - (https://www.lungcancer.org/find_information/publications/163-lung_cancer_101/265-what_is_lung_cancer)
Source-Medindia
Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Lung Cancer is the commonest among all known cancers and smoking is considered to be one of the major causes for the spread of the disease.
Lung Cancer is the commonest among all known cancers and smoking is considered to be one of the major causes for the spread of the disease.
