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What is Alecensa used to treat?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 6, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Alecensa (alectinib) is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that is caused by a mutation in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene.

The ALK gene mutation is detected by an FDA approved test.

Non-small cell lung cancer in people with the ALK gene mutation is called ALK-positive metastatic (NSCLC).

ALK-positive NSCLC is often found in younger people who have a light or non-smoking history. Approximately 5 percent of people with NSCLC in the United States are ALK-positive.

Alecensa is used to treat ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC to help prevent the lung cancer from coming back after the tumor has been removed by surgery (adjuvant), or as a treatment when the lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Alecensa belongs to the class of drugs called multikinase inhibitors. It works by targeting anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) to help slow or stop tumor growth.

Read next

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. 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

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