Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41905770›Full record

ReviewBritish journal of haematology2026

Exploiting ALK inhibition in anaplastic large cell lymphoma: Biological rationale and therapeutic integration.

Santino Caserta, Enrica Antonia Martino, Mamdouh Skafi, Maria Eugenia Alvaro, Antonella Bruzzese, Nicola Amodio, Marco Fiorillo, Eugenio Lucia, Virginia Olivito, Caterina Labanca and 4 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in British journal of haematology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Santino CasertaHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Enrica Antonia MartinoHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Mamdouh SkafiEmergency and Internal Medicine Department, Saint Joseph Hospital, East Jerusalem, Palestine.
Maria Eugenia AlvaroHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Antonella BruzzeseHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Nicola AmodioDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
Marco FiorilloDepartment of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8055-3259
Eugenio LuciaHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Virginia OlivitoHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Caterina LabancaHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Francesco MendicinoHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6339-632X
Ernesto VignaHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Fortunato MorabitoAIL Sezione di Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Massimo GentileHematology Unit, Department of Onco-Hematology, AO of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5256-0726

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mature T-cell lymphomas comprise a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas with limited therapeutic options in the relapsed or refractory setting. Among them, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) represents a biologically distinct subtype driven by constitutive activation of ALK fusion proteins, which promote oncogenic signalling through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. This molecular dependency provides a strong mechanistic rationale for targeted ALK inhibition. Small-molecule ALK inhibitors, including crizotinib, have demonstrated high overall response rates (67%-88%) and complete remission rates (~60%-80%) in relapsed or refractory ALK-positive ALCL, often with rapid clinical responses. Next-generation ALK inhibitors have shown activity in patients who progress on crizotinib, supporting the concept of sequential ALK-targeted therapy to overcome acquired resistance. Resistance mechanisms include secondary ALK kinase domain mutations, such as L1196M and G1202R, as well as activation of compensatory signalling pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, underscoring the importance of molecular reassessment at relapse and the potential role of rational combination strategies. This review critically summarizes the molecular basis of ALK-driven lymphomagenesis, evaluates the clinical evidence supporting ALK-targeted therapy and discusses mechanisms of resistance. In addition, it explores emerging strategies for integrating ALK inhibitors into precision-based management of T-cell lymphomas, including combination approaches with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or antibody-drug conjugates. Collectively, these developments highlight a paradigm shift towards biology-driven, personalized therapy in ALK-positive ALCL.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsLymphoma, Large-Cell, AnaplasticProtein Kinase InhibitorsReceptor Protein-Tyrosine KinasesAnaplastic Lymphoma KinaseDrug Resistance, NeoplasmHumansMolecular Targeted TherapySignal TransductionALK protein, humanAnaplastic Lymphoma KinaseAntineoplastic AgentsProtein Kinase InhibitorsReceptor Protein-Tyrosine KinasesALK inhibitorsALK‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphomaprecision medicinerelapsed/refractory T‐cell lymphomastargeted therapyT‐cell lymphomastyrosine kinase inhibitors

Identifiers

PMID41905770
PMCPMC13176536

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.