Skip to main content

What is the mechanism of action for Alecensa (alectinib)?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 20, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Alecensa (alectinib) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that works specifically on a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK protein). Tyrosine kinases (TK) help to determine processes such as growth, differentiation, metabolism, and cell death, and are involved in signaling pathways – these are pathways that control and regulate the flow of information between cells and their outside environment. Research has linked abnormal TK activity or mutations to various cancers – one of these is non-small cell lung cancer. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations are present in approximately 5% of NSCLC cases, and by inhibiting this protein, Alecensa reduces the growth of ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC. Alecensa is only used in metastatic NSCLC that has been tested and confirmed to be ALK-positive.

References
  • Beardslee, T., & Lawson, J. (2018). Alectinib and Brigatinib: New Second-Generation ALK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Journal of the advanced practitioner in oncology, 9(1), 94–101.
  • Alecensa Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/alecensa.html
  • Alecensa Health Professional Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/alecensa.html
  • Alectinib: a review of its use in advanced ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25428710/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25428710/

Read next

Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color. It can cause your urine or other body fluids to turn a reddish color for 1 to 2 days after a dose is given, which is normal and temporary. Continue reading

Generally, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is worse than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SCLC accounts for about 10-15% of people who have lung cancer and is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. SCLC usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi), and although the cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors. Early on in the course of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms. If caught early (limited-stage disease) 20-25% of people can be potentially cured. Extensive SCLC is more difficult to treat. Continue reading

A hereditary family history of lung cancer is one of the many risk factors for developing non-small cell lung cancer. About 8% of lung cancers are thought to be inherited or linked to gene changes, but smoking and air pollution remain the primary causes of lung cancer. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer