Abstract
The rearregment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK) gene is one of a number of genetic changes which are diagnosed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The gene encoding ALK is localised on chromosome 2 and encode the tyrosinkinase receptor.
In ALK positive NSCLC ALK gene is rearrenged (also konwn as trenslocatino) inside of chromosome. ALK translocations are intrachromosomal rearregment which results in structural chromosomal changes and fusion of two genes, what is followed by expression fusion ALK protein ALK fusion proteins stimulate tumour growth survival by means of aberrand activation of pathways which take part in survival regulation and cell proliferation.
The most frequent fusion partner of ALK in NSCLC is EML-4 (i.e. EML4-ALK fusion).
Confirmation of this rearregment serves as the marker of optimal therapeutic decision for the patient.