Promising Effect of Crizotinib on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in an Elderly Patient with a Poor Performance Status: A Case Report and Literature Review

Norikazu Matsuo; Akimasa Sekine; Terufumi Kato; Chiaki Hosoda; Hiroyuki Ito; Tomohisa Baba; Shigeaki Umeda; Tae Iwasawa; Koji Okudela; Takashi Ogura

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5076

CASE REPORTS

Promising Effect of Crizotinib on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in an Elderly Patient with a Poor Performance Status: A Case Report and Literature Review

Norikazu Matsuo, Akimasa Sekine, Terufumi Kato, Chiaki Hosoda, Hiroyuki Ito, Tomohisa Baba, Shigeaki Umeda, Tae Iwasawa, Koji Okudela, Takashi Ogura

Author information

Norikazu Matsuo
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Akimasa Sekine
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Terufumi Kato
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Chiaki Hosoda
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Hiroyuki Ito
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Tomohisa Baba
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Shigeaki Umeda
Department of Pathology Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Japan
Tae Iwasawa
Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan
Koji Okudela
Department of Pathology Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Japan
Takashi Ogura
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Japan

Keywords: non-small cell lung cancer, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, crizotinib, performance status, elderly patients

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2016 Volume 55 Issue 5 Pages 507-509

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5076

Details

Abstract

Crizotinib is highly effective for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it remains unclear whether crizotinib has a beneficial effect on elderly patients with ALK-positive NSCLC with a poor performance status (PS). We herein present the case of an 85-year-old man with stage IV ALK-positive NSCLC, whose PS score was 4 due to pericardial and pleural effusions. After initiating crizotinib therapy, a drastic response was observed and the PS score improved to 0. Adverse effects were manageable. Our results indicate that crizotinib could be an important choice when treating elderly patients with ALK-positive NSCLC with poor PS.

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