EGFR-TKI + ALK-TKI

EGFR-TKI + ALK-TKI refers to the combination therapy of an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and an anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ALK-TKI). This approach is used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who harbor both EGFR mutations and acquired ALK fusions, particularly after resistance develops to initial EGFR-targeted therapy. The rationale is to simultaneously inhibit both oncogenic drivers, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms and improving clinical outcomes. Commonly used EGFR-TKIs include osimertinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and dacomitinib; commonly used ALK-TKIs include alectinib, crizotinib, ceritinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib. Clinical evidence suggests that this combination can induce partial responses in select patients with dual alterations[4]. Both drug classes are small molecule inhibitors that block their respective kinases' signaling pathways involved in tumor cell proliferation and survival[1][2][5].

Other names

EGFR and ALK inhibitorsEGFR/ALK inhibitor combinationEGFR plus ALK inhibition