Real-World Analysis Shows High Costs, Early Discontinuation With ALK Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

Real-world treatment of patients with advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is marked by high drug costs and relatively short treatment durations, according to a new study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy.

Lung cancer remains the second most common cancer diagnosis in the United States and the leading cause of cancer death. Nearly 85% of cases are classified as NSCLC, and 4% to 5% of these tumors carry an ALK gene rearrangement.

People with ALK-positive NSCLC tend to respond well to targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have largely replaced chemotherapy as standard first-line treatment. Currently, several ALK TKIs — such as Alecensa (alectinib), Ensacove (ensartinib) and Lorbrena