Frontiers in Oncology (Sep 2023)

Case Report: A rare case of non-small cell lung cancer with STRN-ALK fusion in a patient in very poor condition treated with first-line ensartinib

  • Guo-qiang Song,
  • Yi-zhong Li,
  • Weiliang Kong,
  • Guo-qiang Hu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2023.1235679
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Several cases of STRN-ALK fusion have been reported, and some anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have been shown to be effective for treatment. Nevertheless, no cases of COVID-19 leading to heart failure and respiratory failure have been reported in people older than 70 years treated with ALK inhibitors. The present case report describes a 70-year-old patient with usual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, and carotid plaque disease. Next-generation sequencing of tissue obtained by puncture biopsy revealed a STRN-ALK mutation accompanied by a TP53 mutation. The patient was treated with ensartinib and developed COVID-19 leading to heart failure and respiratory failure; nevertheless, he had a good clinical outcome and exhibited high treatment tolerability.

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