M. Kharat1, J. David2, T. Patel3, H. Nookala4, P. Kalyandrug3, M. Farhan5, A. Omole6, R. Millis7 1Icahn school of medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital center, Department Of Medicine, New York, NEW YORK, USA 2Malla Reddy Institute of medical science, Hyderabad, TELANGANA, India 3Trinity Medical Sciences University school of medicine, Ratho Mill Kingstown, ST VINCENT, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4Mamata Academy of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, TELANGANA, India 5Ajman University college of medicine, Ajman, AJMAN, United Arab Emirates 6Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA 7American University of Antigua, Coolidge, ANTIGUA, Antigua and Barbuda
Introduction: Lung cancer, a significant global health challenge, particularly the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) subtype, is a topic of utmost importance. The continuous advancements in the field of NSCLC treatment, especially in the context of Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive NSCLC, are of great interest. A thorough review of alectinib's comparative efficacy and safety with other treatment modalities is a crucial step, and the role of clinicians and surgeons is integral in optimising patient care. This review can also inform neoadjuvant therapies and enhance surgical education, facilitating more informed decision-making processes between surgeons and patients.
Methods: This comprehensive systematic review results from rigorous screening. Following a thorough screening process of the PubMed, PubMed Central, and Medline databases by quality assessment and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria filters, nine relevant articles were identified that directly addressed the research question and provided a holistic understanding of it. The analysis included a total of 1,403 patients from 9 different studies. Alectinib was given to 836 patients, while 567 patients received other chemotherapeutic drugs. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of alectinib with other treatment modalities.
Results: The analysis revealed that alectinib is very promising for ALK-positive NSCLC cases, with significantly better efficacy and a positive impact on limiting Central nervous system (CNS) metastases. Alectinib's favourable safety profile, with medically manageable adverse events, provides reassurance about its safety compared to other treatment modalities.
Conclusion: Alectinib has emerged as a viable, significantly superior treatment option for patients with ALK-positive NSCLC. The superior efficacy and manageable safety profile are significant; it remains a novel therapy with much potential, such as neoadjuvant therapy, which will make significant strides in patient care of ALK-positive NSCLC. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare professionals, including surgeons, to be well-versed in alectinib and its potential. This knowledge will empower them and instil confidence in their ability to provide the best care for their patients.