ALK inhibitors are potential anti-cancer drugs that act on tumours with variations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase also known as ALK tyrosine kinase receptor or CD246 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ALK gene.-Function:...

 (ALK) such as an EML4

EML4

Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EML4 gene.-Further reading:...

-ALK

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase also known as ALK tyrosine kinase receptor or CD246 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ALK gene.-Function:...

 translocation

Translocation

Translocation may refer to:* Chromosomal translocation, in genetics* Translocation in plants, transport of food or pesticides through phloem or xylem* Protein translocation or protein targeting, a process in protein biosynthesis...

.

EML4-ALK

About 7% of Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) have EML4-ALK translocations.

Crizotinib

Crizotinib

Crizotinib , is an ALK inhibitor, approved for treatment of some non-small cell lung carcinoma in the US, and undergoing clinical trials testing its safety and efficacy in anaplastic large cell lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and other advanced solid tumors in both adults and children.- Mechanism of...

 is in clinical trials for NSCLC. with good results in phase II.
FDA approved in Aug 2011.

AP26113

AP26113

AP26113 is a small-molecule targeted cancer therapy, developed by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AP26113 has exhibited activity as a potent dual inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase and epidermal growth factor receptor...

 is at the preclinical stage.

NPM-ALK

NPM-ALK is a different variation/fusion of ALK

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase also known as ALK tyrosine kinase receptor or CD246 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ALK gene.-Function:...

 that drives anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCLs) and is the target of other ALK inhibitors.