Atypical Carcinoid Tumor with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Rearrangement Successfully Treated by an ALK...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Atypical carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms.
• Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements are uncommon in lung carcinoid tumors.

Observation:

• A 70-year-old male presented with a left lung tumor and widespread metastases.
• Pathology revealed an atypical carcinoid tumor with confirmed ALK gene rearrangement via IHC and FISH.
• Initial chemotherapy treatment was ineffective.

Findings:

• Treatment with crizotinib, an ALK inhibitor, resulted in significant tumor reduction.
• This is the first documented case of crizotinib effectively treating an atypical carcinoid tumor harboring an ALK rearrangement.

Implications:

• Crizotinib may represent a potential targeted therapy option for atypical carcinoid tumors with ALK alterations.
• ALK rearrangement status should be considered in the molecular profiling of atypical carcinoid tumors.
• This finding opens new avenues for precision medicine in rare neuroendocrine cancers.