How Do Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Inhibitor Work?

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat adult patients with ALK-positive metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body. They are “tyrosine kinase inhibitors” that selectively and potently inhibit ALK, a protein that helps control cell growth. Blocking this protein may help prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading. 

ALK inhibitors are administered orally with or without food and work in the following ways:

• They belong to a class known as “kinase inhibitors” that work by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply.
• This helps slow down or stop the spread of cancer cells.
• They inhibit the activity of ALK, a protein essential for the development and function of nervous system tissue. 
• However, chromosomal translocation and fusion give rise to an oncogenic form of ALK that has been implicated in the progression of NSCLC.
• They inhibit this mutated enzyme and stop cell proliferation, ultimately halting cancer progression.

ALK inhibitors are used to treat ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC.

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Heartburn 
• Constipation
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Back or joint pain
• Arthralgia (joint pain)

Other rare side effects include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Shortness of breath
• Blurred or double vision
• Weight loss
• Flu-like symptoms
• Lightheadedness
• Dark urine
• Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose level)
• Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
• Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol level)
• Dizziness (feeling faint, weak, or unsteady)

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors include:

• Alunbrig
• Brigatinib
• Ceritinib
• Crizotinib
• Lorbrena
• Lorlatinib
• Xalkori
• Zykadia