ALK : ALK receptor tyrosine kinase

The ALK Gene: A Key Player in Development and Disease

Description

The ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) gene is a blueprint for the ALK protein, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). RTKs are crucial for transmitting signals from the cell surface to the interior, controlling various cellular processes like growth, division, and maturation.

Function

While the precise role of ALK is not fully understood, it is believed to play a vital role in the early stages of development, particularly in the development and growth of nerve cells (neurons).

Associated Diseases

Mutations or alterations in the ALK gene have been linked to several diseases, including:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ALK mutations occur in about 5% of NSCLC cases and are associated with a specific type called ALK-positive NSCLC.
• Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL): ALK mutations are found in approximately 80% of ALCL cases and are responsible for the uncontrolled growth of T-cells.
• Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT): ALK mutations are present in about 50% of IMT cases, leading to the formation of tumors in soft tissues and organs.
• Neuroblastoma: ALK mutations have been identified in a subset of neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in young children and affects the sympathetic nervous system.

Did you Know ?

ALK-positive NSCLC is more common in young, never-smoker patients, accounting for about 15% of cases in this population.