Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2017
[A Case of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Three ALK Inhibitors and Chemotherapy]
Jue Wang1, Xiaoyan Xu1, Yanyan Sun1
1Department of Oncology, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot 010017, China.
Abstract:
The echinoderm microtubule associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) were fractured and fused to become EML4-ALK. Most of these EML4-ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients respond well to the ALK inhibitor. Many patients can benefit from drug target therapy for a long time, and some patients can achieve long-term survival of more than 7 years under the optimized treatment mode. This patient has lung adenocarcinoma positive for EML4-ALK fusion gene, but the treatment outcome is obviously different from that of other patients with lung cancer positive for EML4-ALK fusion gene. After the first to third generations of ALK inhibitor targeted therapy and chemotherapy, the disease progresses rapidly, the drug resistance time is short, the survival time is short, and the benefit is limited. The patient received targeted therapy of Crizotinib, Ceritinib and Lorlatinib successively from July 15, 2019, followed by two chemotherapy courses of Bevacizumab combined with Pemetrexed and Carboplatin. The patient died on September 10, 2020, with a survival of 15 months. At the same time, the treatment showed common adverse reactions of ALK inhibitors. This paper analyzed the therapeutic effect and treatment dilemma of this patient, and provided an exploration direction for the treatment of patients with EML4-ALK fusion gene positive lung cancer. .
Insights
Most non-small cell lung cancer patients with EML4-ALK fusion respond well to ALK inhibitors. However, one patient showed rapid progression and short survival despite multiple targeted therapies, highlighting treatment challenges.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion genes, such as EML4-ALK, are key drivers in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- ALK inhibitors have revolutionized treatment for EML4-ALK positive NSCLC, offering significant survival benefits for many patients.
Observation:
- This report details a case of EML4-ALK positive lung adenocarcinoma with an unusual, aggressive clinical course.
- Despite sequential treatment with first, second, and third-generation ALK inhibitors (Crizotinib, Ceritinib, Lorlatinib) and chemotherapy, the patient experienced rapid disease progression and limited survival (15 months).
Findings:
- The patient developed resistance to multiple ALK inhibitors, contrasting with the typical favorable response observed in most EML4-ALK positive NSCLC cases.
- Treatment was associated with common adverse reactions characteristic of ALK inhibitors.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need for further research into mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibitors in NSCLC.
- Exploring novel therapeutic strategies and treatment paradigms is crucial for patients with refractory EML4-ALK positive lung cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Treatment Resistant Cancers

