Lorbrena (lorlatinib)

After two years of therapy, the child has sustained partial tumor regression on MRI and no new neurological symptoms. We conclude that comprehensive multi-omics analyses are required for correct molecular diagnosis in childhood CNS tumors and can radically impact patient outcome by identifying molecular targets for precision treatment.

P2, N=10, Active, not recruiting, National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Trial completion date: Dec 2025 --> Dec 2026

Among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ALK-positive disease accounts for roughly 5% of cases We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials comparing first-line ALK inhibitors with crizotinib or platinum-based chemotherapy and reporting intracranial outcomes. The safety profile was comparable between second- and third-generation ALK TKIs, with alectinib reporting fewer grade ≥3 adverse events (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.58-0.88). These findings support the use of second- and third-generation ALK TKIs, particularly lorlatinib, as preferred first-line options for patients presenting with brain metastases at diagnosis.

The patient with TRIM24::ALK fusion, following durable responses to alectinib and lorlatinib, relapsed with detection of on-target ALK kinase domain mutations (F1174V, I1171N) and MYC amplification on progression. Comprehensive molecular workup, including RNA-based NGS, is essential for detecting rare but actionable ALK rearrangements and optimizing therapeutic strategy. NGS of CSF was a valuable tool for the detection of clinically suspected leptomeningeal disease and disease monitoring.

We found progressive arthropathy, mostly painless, in one or more joints or intervertebral spaces of patients receiving crizotinib for NSCLC.

Multiple ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)-from crizotinib to newer agents such as entrectinib, lorlatinib, repotrectinib, taletrectinib, and the highly selective zidesamtinib-have improved systemic and intracranial outcomes, although resistance remains inevitable and biologically diverse, involving both on-target kinase mutations and off-target mechanisms...Pemetrexed-based chemotherapy remains an effective option, whereas immune checkpoint inhibitors provide limited benefit...Looking ahead, priorities include optimizing sequencing strategies, evaluating perioperative targeted approaches, and incorporating genomic monitoring to anticipate resistance. These advances are reshaping the natural history of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC and supporting a more durable, precision-driven treatment paradigm.

P2, N=30, Not yet recruiting, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Regimens co-targeting the MAPK pathway and ALK or ROS1 had limited efficacy in unselected patients with lorlatinib-resistant NSCLC, underscoring the need for more effective and biomarker-informed treatment strategies.

Among patients who received next-generation ALK TKIs as first-line therapy, continuation of next-generation ALK TKI with PT/Pem led to longer PFS and OS than PT/Pem alone, with no unanticipated toxicities. The modest efficacy of PT/Pem-based regimens overall underscores the need for more effective therapies for TKI-refractory ALK+ NSCLC.

Effective management of lorlatinib-related adverse events, through close monitoring and timely intervention, is essential to enhance patient tolerance. Lorlatinib has progressively transformed the therapeutic landscape for patients with ALK + NSCLC.