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Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase in Glioblastoma: Detection/Diagnostic Methods and Therapeutic Options
Theodosis Kalamatianos1, Despoina Denekou2, George Stranjalis1
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens Medical School, 10676 Athens, Greece.
Background:
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and common brain tumor in adults, currently lacking effective life-prolonging and recurrence-preventing therapy; median survival of GBM patients stands at only 14-16 months. Increasing lines of evidence indicate that Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a druggable tyrosine kinase receptor over-expressed in GBM, represents a potential therapeutic target in this tumor.
Objective:
An overview of the state of the art and the existing recent patents regarding potential exploitation of ALK as a therapeutic target and/or diagnostic/prognostic factor in GBM.
Method:
Recent literature and patents focusing on or including ALK pre-clinical and clinical research in GBM have been identified and reviewed, and are discussed according to their potential use.
Results:
Numerous recent ALK-related patents were identified. They were reviewed/analyzed in relation to previously published research and categorized based on their potential in GBM: i) diagnosis/ prognosis, ii) drug-based therapeutic targeting of ALK using a single compound or combination schemes and iii) therapeutic ALK targeting by other means, e.g. ALK vaccination.
Conclusion:
ALK targeting holds promise as a novel therapeutic approach in GBM, especially in combination schemes allowing multi-target therapy. Such schemes may incorporate detection-guided therapy and utilize next generation inhibitory compounds with improved central nervous system penetration. Moreover, identification of ALK-mediated molecular pathway(s) related to GBM carcinogenesis/ pathology and putative therapy resistance is of high priority and warrants further exploitation.
Insights
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) targeting shows promise for treating glioblastoma (GBM), a deadly brain cancer. Research and patents explore ALK for diagnosis, prognosis, and novel combination therapies to improve patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis.
- Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is over-expressed in GBM and represents a potential therapeutic target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of current research and patents on exploiting ALK in GBM.
- To assess ALK's potential as a therapeutic target and diagnostic/prognostic factor.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of recent literature and patents on ALK in GBM.
- Categorization of findings based on diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications.
Main Results:
- Identification and review of numerous ALK-related patents.
- Categorization into diagnostic/prognostic uses, drug-based targeting, and other therapeutic strategies like vaccination.
Conclusions:
- ALK targeting offers a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM, particularly in combination therapies.
- Future research should focus on detection-guided therapy, advanced inhibitors, and understanding ALK-mediated pathways for resistance and carcinogenesis.
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