Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): results of a multi-centre ALK-testing

Publication

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): results of a multi-centre ALK-testing

Journal Paper/Review - May 10, 2013

V Laffert Maximilian, Wölfel Cornelius, Petersen Iver, Rodriguez Regulo, Jochum Wolfram, Bartsch Holger, Fisseler-Eckhoff Annette, Berg Erika, Lenze Dido, Dietel Manfred, Kirchner Thomas, Jung Andreas, Kerler Rosi, Warth Arne, Penzel Roland, Schirmacher Peter, Jonigk Danny, Kreipe Hans, Schildhaus Hans-Ulrich, Merkelbach-Bruse Sabine, Büttner Reinhard, Reu Simone, Hummel Michael

Citation

V Laffert M, Wölfel C, Petersen I, Rodriguez R, Jochum W, Bartsch H, Fisseler-Eckhoff A, Berg E, Lenze D, Dietel M, Kirchner T, Jung A, Kerler R, Warth A, Penzel R, Schirmacher P, Jonigk D, Kreipe H, Schildhaus H, Merkelbach-Bruse S, Büttner R, Reu S, Hummel M. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): results of a multi-centre ALK-testing. Lung Cancer 2013; 81:200-6.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Lung Cancer 2013; 81

Publication Date

May 10, 2013

Issn Electronic

1872-8332

Pages

200-6

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
The reliable identification of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with chromosomal breaks in the gene of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is crucial for the induction of therapy with ALK-inhibitors. In order to ensure a reliable detection of ALK-breaks by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing, round robin tests are essential. In preparation of a nation (German)-wide round robin test we initiated a pre-testing phase involving 8 experts in FISH-diagnostics to identify NSCLC cases (n = 10) with a pre-tested ALK-status. In addition, ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess ALK protein expression.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Sections derived from a tissue microarray, each consisting of 3 cores from 10 NSCLC cases, were independently tested for ALK protein expression by IHC and genomic ALK-breaks by FISH involving 8 institutes of pathology. Based on a pre-screening, 5 cases were identified to be clearly ALK-break negative, whereas the remaining 5 cases were ALK-break positive including one case with low percentage (20%) of positive cells. The latter had been additionally tested by RT-PCR.

RESULTS
The 5 unequivocal ALK-break negative NSCLC were almost consistently scored negative by means of FISH and IHC by all 8 experts. Interestingly, 4 of the 5 cases with pre-defined ALK-breaks revealed homogenous FISH results whereas IHC for the detection of ALK protein expression showed heterogeneous results. The remaining case (low number of ALK-break positive cells) was scored negative by 3 experts and positive by the other 5. RT-PCR revealed the expression of an EML4-ALK fusion gene variant 1.

CONCLUSION
ALK-break negative NSCLC cases revealed concordant homogeneous results by means of FISH and IHC (score 0-1) by all 8 experts. Discordant FISH results were raised in one ALK-break positive case with a low number of affected tumor cells. The remaining 4 ALK-break positive cases revealed concordant FISH data whereas the ALK-IHC revealed very diverse results. The cases with concordant FISH results provide an excellent basis for round robin ALK-FISH testing. As long as standardized ALK-IHC protocols are missing, ALK protein expression cannot by regarded as the method of choice for identification of patients eligible for treatment with ALK inhibitors.