Fusions in a Wide Variety of Tumor Types Respond to Anti-ALK Targeted Therapy.

BACKGROUND

Genomic fusions of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene () are a well-established therapy target in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From a survey of 114,200 clinical cases, we determined the prevalence of rearrangements (r) in non-NSCLC tumors and report their responsiveness to therapies targeting ALK.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comprehensive genomic profiling of 114,200 relapsed and metastatic malignancies, including both solid tumors and hematolymphoid cancers, was performed using a hybrid-capture, adaptor ligation-based next-generation sequencing assay.

RESULTS

Of 114,200 clinical samples, 21,522 (18.8%) were NSCLC and 92,678 (81.2%) were other tumor types. Of the 876 (0.8%) cases with fusions (f) or rALK, 675 (77.1%) were NSCLC and 201 (22.9%) were other tumor types. fusions were significantly more frequent in NSCLC (3.1%) than non-NSCLC (0.2%;  < .0001). Patients with non-NSCLC tumors harboring f were significantly younger ( < .0001) and more often female ( < .0001) than patients with f-positive NSCLC. was more often the fusion partner in NSCLC (83.5%) versus non-NSCLC tumors (30.9%;  < .0001).

CONCLUSION

rearrangements can be identified in a wide variety of epithelial and mesenchymal malignancies beyond NSCLC. Anti-ALK therapies can be effective in non-NSCLC tumors driven by f, and further study of therapies targeting in clinical trials involving a wider variety of cancer types appears warranted.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Rearrangements involving the gene have been detected in dozens of cancer types using next-generation sequencing. Patients whose tumors harbor rearrangements or fusions respond to treatment with crizotinib and alectinib, including tumors not normally associated with mutations, such as non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis or renal cell carcinoma. Comprehensive genomic profiling using next-generation sequencing can detect targetable fusions irrespective of tumor type or fusions partner.