Biological Characterization of Advanced ALK-rearranged Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the EXPLORE ALK Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying advanced non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC with ALK gene rearrangement treated with next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors TKIs as first-line therapy. This prospective study, part of the national EXPLORE ALK cohort, aims to understand the biological characteristics and resistance mechanisms of this cancer type. It involves patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC who are not eligible for curative locoregional treatment and have confirmed ALK rearrangement. The study collects tumor tissue samples at diagnosis and at disease progression, if available, to analyze ALK fusion partners, variants, and co-mutations using RNA sequencing. Blood samples are taken at diagnosis, first tumor evaluation, and disease progression to analyze circulating tumor DNA ctDNA with next-generation sequencing. Treatments studied include alectinib, brigatinib, lorlatinib, and entrectinib, either marketed or under early access programs. Participants provide blood samples and allow use of tumor tissue for centralized biological analyses. Researchers measure progression-free survival up to 72 months as the primary outcome, along with overall survival, response rates, duration of response, ctDNA clearance, and resistance mechanisms associated with treatment and ALK fusion partners. The study involves regular evaluations over several years to monitor treatment outcomes and biological changes.

Analysis of Biological Characteristics of Advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC