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Dramatic response to alectinib in a lung adenocarcinoma patient harboring a Novel SSFA2-ALK fusion

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Abstract

ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene rearrangements have been reported in 3–5% of NSCLC patients. Different ALK fusion forms can mediate different downstream signaling pathways and may exhibit different sensitivities to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). To identify more fusion partners that are sensitive to ALK-TKIs, we present a case of 46-year-old woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. NGS panel analysis suggested that a novel SSFA2-ALK fusion was identified in this patient. Moreover, this fusion was validated through IHC (VENTANA ALK (D5F3) antibody) and FISH (ZytoLight ALK Break Apart FISH Probe). Importantly, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report about SSFA2-ALK fusion in solid cancers. Moreover, the patient achieved an admirable response to alectinib, with a clinical evaluation of complete response (CR). In summary, our findings expand the spectrum of ALK fusion patterns and provide robust evidence for the precise administration of alectinib in the future.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Chuang Qi, Dr. Wanglong Deng and Dr. Guanghua Lu, and Mr. Ran Ding from Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics for their kind assistance.

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Contributions

Yuan Tan, **ny Lin and QianQ Duan prepared the manuscript and the literature search; Mei H reviewed and edited the manuscript; **ny Lin and **aoJ Y treated and observed the patient; **aoJ Y performed the histopathological, immunohistochemical examinations. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mei He.

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Authors’ institution does not require ethical approval for publication of a single case report. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of the Case Report and any accompanying images.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

All procedures performed in this case report involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital and with the Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Lin, X., Yang, X., Tan, Y. et al. Dramatic response to alectinib in a lung adenocarcinoma patient harboring a Novel SSFA2-ALK fusion. Invest New Drugs 40, 1160–1163 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-022-01260-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-022-01260-4

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