Patient's question:
Gene test for lung adenocarcinoma shows 17% ALK mutation. I have been taking the targeted drug Crizotinib for almost a month, but there is still fluid in both lungs. After re-examining the pleural effusion and blood, it showed that ALK has turned negative. What is going on? Can I still continue taking the targeted drug?Doctor's answer:
For gene mutation-positive ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeted therapy has undoubtedly become a better treatment option for them. Based on the pathological features of cancer cells in lung cancer tissue: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85%, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 15%. For advanced non-small cell lung cancer, it is recommended that all adenocarcinoma or non-small cell lung cancer patients with adenocarcinoma components undergo routine testing for ALK fusion genes or ALK fusion proteins at the time of diagnosis.