Safety and efficacy of lorlatinib against ALK-driven refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma

Yujin Suk1, Sheila K Singh2

  • 1Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

PubMed

Insights

Lorlatinib shows promise in a phase 1 study for children with relapsed or refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma, demonstrating safety and efficacy. Further research is warranted for this challenging pediatric cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer often driven by anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene alterations.
  • Treatment-refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma has a poor prognosis.
  • Targeted therapies are needed for ALK-driven neuroblastoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of lorlatinib in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma.
  • To establish a recommended dose for further studies.

Main Methods:

  • A phase 1, first-in-child study design.
  • Enrollment of pediatric patients with confirmed ALK-driven neuroblastoma.
  • Dose escalation to determine safety and tolerability.

Main Results:

  • Preliminary findings indicate acceptable safety and tolerability of lorlatinib.
  • Evidence of preliminary efficacy in a subset of patients.
  • Identification of a potential dose for future trials.

Conclusions:

  • Lorlatinib is a potential therapeutic option for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma.
  • The phase 1 study provides a foundation for further investigation.
  • Targeted inhibition of ALK may overcome treatment resistance.