CSF Concentration of the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Inhibitor Crizotinib

We describe the case of a 29-year-old white man with a neversmoking history and EML4-ALK-E20A20 stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease had progressed after first-line cisplatin plus pemetrexed and second-line erlotinib. He started crizotinib at 200 mg twice daily and attained significant symptomatic improvement and minor tumor regression of his intrathoracic disease best classified as stable disease. 1 Before start of therapy, brain imaging studies showed no abnormalities. His systemic disease retained radiographic control with crizotinib when he presented with new-onset headaches 7.5 months into his treatment course. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain disclosed small enhancing masses…

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  Pfizer