Anaplastic lymphoma kinase receptor tyrosine kinase fusion protein EML4–ALK variant 1 fusion protein (ALK)

The EML4–ALK variant 1 fusion protein is an oncogenic chimeric protein resulting from a chromosomal rearrangement that fuses the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) gene with the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. This fusion is most commonly found in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where it acts as a key driver mutation. The EML4 portion enables constitutive dimerization, leading to persistent activation of ALK’s tyrosine kinase activity, driving uncontrolled cellular proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. Resistance often develops through secondary mutations within the ALK kinase domain or through activation/bypass via alternative signaling pathways.

Other names

EML4-ALK variant 1EML4-ALK v1

Small-molecule inhibitors targeting ALK's tyrosine kinase activity.