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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

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A new look at the ALK gene in cancer: copy number gain and amplification

Federica Zito Marino1, Gaetano Rocco2, Alessandro Morabito3

  • 1a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale'-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.

Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|March 5, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-amplification is a significant cancer biomarker associated with poor outcomes. This review explores ALK-amplification

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) rearrangements are established molecular targets in cancers like Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
  • The success of ALK inhibitors has spurred research into other ALK gene alterations, including amplification (ALK-A).
  • ALK-amplification is frequently observed across various cancers, often correlating with aggressive disease and poorer prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of ALK-amplification as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in cancer.
  • To analyze critical aspects of ALK-amplification, including detection methods, acquired resistance, and the impact of next-generation ALK inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating ALK-amplification in cancer.
  • Analysis of existing data on ALK-amplification detection, resistance mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • ALK-amplification is a common genetic event in cancer, linked to aggressive tumor behavior.
  • ALK-amplification serves as a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker.
  • Challenges in ALK-amplification detection and the emergence of acquired resistance are significant clinical considerations.

Conclusions:

  • ALK-amplification represents a clinically relevant genetic alteration in cancer.
  • Further investigation into ALK-amplification is warranted for its potential role in targeted therapy development.
  • Understanding ALK-amplification is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and overcoming resistance.
Keywords:
ALK- inhibitorsAnaplastic lymphoma kinaseacquired resistanceamplificationcopy number gaincrizotinibfluorescence in situ hybridization

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