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Successful Treatment with Alectinib for Choroidal Metastasis in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Rearranged Non-small Cell
Tomoko Funazo1, Kyohei Morita2, Naoya Ikegami2
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Abstract:
Choroidal metastasis is rare in cancer patients and it may cause visual disturbances that reduce their quality of life. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeted therapy against actionable driver mutations has gradually replaced radiotherapy as the treatment of choice for choroidal metastasis. Recently, there have been several case reports of choroidal metastasis in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged NSCLC. We herein report the case of a 40-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with choroidal metastasis of an ALK-rearranged NSCLC who received alectinib as the first-line chemotherapy. Alectinib may be the best treatment for choroidal metastasis in patients harboring an ALK translocation because of its favorable side effect profile involving visual disturbances.
Insights
Choroidal metastasis from anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rare. Alectinib shows promise as a first-line treatment, potentially improving quality of life by minimizing visual disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Choroidal metastasis is an uncommon cancer complication impacting patient quality of life.
- Targeted therapies are increasingly preferred over radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) choroidal metastases.
Observation:
- Several recent reports highlight choroidal metastasis in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged NSCLC.
- A 40-year-old Japanese woman with ALK-rearranged NSCLC presented with choroidal metastasis.
Findings:
- The patient received alectinib as first-line chemotherapy for her choroidal metastasis.
- Alectinib demonstrated a favorable side effect profile, particularly concerning visual disturbances.
Implications:
- Alectinib may represent an optimal first-line treatment for choroidal metastasis in patients with ALK-translocated NSCLC.
- This finding could lead to improved visual outcomes and quality of life for affected patients.
