Concomitant ALK translocation and EGFR mutation in lung cancer: A comparison of direct sequencing and sensitive assays and the impact on responsiveness to tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Abstract

EGFR mutations and ALK translocation are considered mutually exclusive. We found that a portion of NSCLCs have EGFR and ALK co-alteration. When using sensitive assays for EGFR, the rate of co-alteration increased up to 15.4% of ALK-positive cases. These patients were sensitive to ALK inhibitors, but not to gefitinib. The clinical relevance of finding co-alteration with sensitive methods was discussed.