Do metastases in the brain in a tumor with ALK translocation always mean ineffectiveness of crizotinib therapy?
2017
Abstract
Our report demonstrates possible heterogeneity of ALK translocation between primary lung carcinoma and recurrence of this tumor in the form of brain metastasis. This heterogeneity can lead to resistance to administered tyrosine kinase inhibitors with progression of heterogeneous lesions, which can be confused with the overall ineffectiveness of the given treatment.
However, limitations of ALK translocation test methods, with possible false positivity or negativity, should be considered. Possible genetic causes, issues and problems related to FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) are followed up in the discussion.