Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Estrogen Receptors and ALK Positivity

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Estrogen receptors (ERs) play roles in various physiological functions and are expressed in lung cancer (LC) cells.
• ERβ co-expression with EGFR mutations and anti-estrogen therapies have been studied in lung adenocarcinoma.
• The simultaneous presence of ER and ALK translocation in LC has not been previously described.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first documented case of co-occurrence of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• To explore the potential prognostic significance of this molecular feature in lung adenocarcinoma.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a 69-year-old patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma.
• The tumor was characterized by positivity for ERβ and the ALK-EML4 fusion gene.
• The patient received treatment with chemotherapy and a tyrosine kinase ALK inhibitor.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with generalized lung adenocarcinoma.
• The tumor was confirmed to be positive for both ERβ and the ALK-EML4 fusion gene.
• The patient's 4-year survival suggests potential favorable prognostic implications of combined ER and ALK positivity.

Conclusions:

• The precise role of ER subtypes in LC and their therapeutic implications remain unclear.
• This case represents the first documented instance of co-occurrence between ALK-EML4 and ERβ in lung cancer.
• Combined ERβ and ALK positivity may serve as a favorable prognostic biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer.