Crizotinib: in locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Crizotinib is an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (including anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK]). Oral crizotinib 250 mg twice daily was associated with clinically meaningful response rates in two noncomparative trials (phase I and phase II) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the phase I trial (median duration of treatment of 32 weeks) and phase II trial (median duration of treatment of 22 weeks), the objective response rate in crizotinib recipients was 61% and 50%, respectively, and the median duration of response was 48.1 and 41.9 weeks, respectively. Responses were rapid, with the majority of patients achieving an objective response within the first 8 weeks of treatment. Crizotinib was generally well tolerated, with most adverse reactions being grade 1 or 2. The most commonly reported treatment-related adverse reactions were vision disorder, gastrointestinal disorders and oedema.