A Phase 1 Trial of X-396, a Novel ALK Inhibitor, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with an estimated 2 million new cases and 1·76 million deaths per year. Substantial improvements in our understanding of disease biology, application of predictive biomarkers, and refinements in treatment have led to remarkable progress in the past two decades and transformed outcomes for many patients. This seminar provides an overview of advances in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer, with a particular focus on targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors in phase I and phase II clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Crizotinib is a first-in-class ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which has proven its superiority over standard platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line therapy of ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The development of acquired resistance to crizotinib represents an ongoing challenge with the central nervous system being one of the most common sites of relapse. Ceritinib and alectinib are approved second-generation ALK TKIs. Several novel ALK inhibitors, more potent and with different selectivity compared to crizotinib, are currently in development. Areas covered: This review will focus on new ALK inhibitors, currently in phase 1 or 2 clinical studies. We will also comment on the mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibition and the strategies to delay or overcome resistance. Expert opinion: The therapeutic management of ALK-rearranged NSCLC has been greatly improved. Next-generation ALK inhibitors have shown differential potency against ALK rearrangements and ALK resistance mutations. The molecular profile of the tumor at the time of disease progression to crizotinib is crucial for the sequencing of novel ALK TKIs. Ongoing clinical studies will address key issues, including the optimal therapeutic algorithm and whether combinational approaches are more effective than single ALK inhibition for the outcome of ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients.

New Treatment Options for ALK-Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

OPINION STATEMENT

ALK rearrangements are present in 3-5% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and after epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations represent the second molecular target in NSCLC to be validated through phase III clinical trials. The PROFILE 1014 international multicentre phase III trial demonstrated the superiority of crizotinib over standard chemotherapy, establishing crizotinib as standard first-line therapy for patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC and indicating the requirement for ALK testing to guide selection of optimal first-line therapy for non-squamous NSCLC. Despite impressive and durable responses, progression on treatment reflecting the development of acquired resistance is inevitable. There are several mechanisms of resistance including ALK kinase mutation or copy number gain, activation of bypass pathways and potentially pharmacokinetic failure of therapy (most commonly in CNS). A broad array of newer generation ALK inhibitors are in development that appear effective in the crizotinib-resistant setting including in patients with intracranial progression. These agents, including ceritinib and alectinib, have a higher potency against ALK kinase than crizotinib, activity against mutations that confer resistance to crizotinib and potentially improved CNS penetration. While in selected patients, continued therapy with crizotinib after local ablative treatments of oligo-progressive systemic or CNS disease may be an option, for many patients use of a newer generation compound will be effective. First-line treatment with newer generation ALK inhibitors may have potential advantages over sequential treatment after crizotinib; however, the optimal sequence of therapy with ALK inhibitors has not been determined and is being explored in ongoing phase III studies.