Lorlatinib (PF-06463922) for advanced ALK or ROS1 positive non-small cell lung cancer – second line

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer. The most common type of lung cancer is nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC has three sub-types that can be further grouped by their specific genetic mutation. Two of these types are ALK-positive and ROS1-positive lung cancer, both of which fuse with other genes and promote cancer tumour growth. Patients with ALK-positive and ROS1-positive NSCLC are similar in that they are often younger, have no history of smoking and have a particular type of NSCLC called adenocarcinoma (a cancerous tumour of the lung).
Lorlatinib is a new drug under development for the sub-group of advanced non-small cell lung cancer who are ALK or ROS1 positive and have already undergone gene treatment with drugs that specifically target this type of cancer. Lorlatinib is currently being evaluated in phase II clinical trials as an oral dose at 100 mg daily. If marketed it will become an additional targeted treatment for this sub-group of ALK or ROS1 positive patients.