Authors' objectives: Alectinib is intended to be used for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have progressed on, or are intolerant to crizotinib. If licensed, it will provide an additional, oral treatment option for this patient group. Alectinib is a highly selective, next-generation ALK inhibitor with potent in vitro activity against both wild-type ALK and mutated ALK, including mutations that confer resistance to crizotinib. Alectinib does not currently have Marketing Authorisation in the EU for any indication. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85-90% of all lung cancers. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the UK. In 2011, approximately 31,000 new cases of non-small cell lung cancer were diagnosed in England. ALK-positive disease occurs in around 4-5% of non-small cell lung cancers. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, responsible for more than 80% of cases. The aim of treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer is to prolong survival, improve quality of life, and control disease-related symptoms. Second line treatment options include docetaxel or erlotinib monotherapy, or crizotinib for previously treated ALK-positive disease (not currently recommended by NICE). Alectinib is currently in two phase II clinical trials investigating its effect on objective response and determining its recommended dose, safety and pharmacokinetics. The trials are due to complete in Q2 2015.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/alectinib-for-locally-advanced-or-metastatic-alk-positive-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-following-failure-of-crizotinib/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)