ALK Positive Lung Cancer is a rare form of non-metastatic cancer that can be treated aggressively with immunotherapy. The most important characteristic of this form of cancer is the presence of a cellular abnormality at the metacentric level in the human lung. This cancer occurs mainly in smokers who have failed to quit and has spread to other parts of the body. As a result, ALK Positive Lung Cancer Treatment involves the use of interferon-gamma, a highly effective viral infection that attacks the cancerous cells.
One of the most important ways of ALK Positive Lung Cancer treatment is by using azathioprine and chloroquine (the combination being called azathioprine-chloroquine or ABC chemotherapy) which are systemic antineoplastic agents. Azathioprine was originally introduced in the treatment of bladder cancer and has been used in the treatment of various types of cancers. The antineoplastic effect of azathioprine is mainly due to its ability to generate oxygen and ozone in the blood. However, despite its ability to fight malignant cells, the toxicities of the drug for healthy cells (like bone marrow) are also being investigated.
Several experimental treatments are currently being conducted to find a cure for ALK Positive Lung Cancer. A recent study by the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine shows that crizotinib increases the risk of spontaneous remission in patients with early and advanced stage pulmonary adenocarcinomas. Although the initial results of the study showed an increase in the survival rate of patients, the numbers of patients that died due to complications were too low to be worth noting. This particular study has brought much hope to patients suffering from ALK Positive Lung Cancer. In addition, other research has shown that crizotinib may also slow down the progression of malignant cells. However, more studies need to be conducted to evaluate the effects of crizotinib in patients with advanced-stage pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
