Combination of crizotinib and chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)

Our aim was to explore the role of crizotinib, targeted anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), on r/r systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). The treated group prospectively screened 20 patients. After taking crizotinib in the first week, 16 patients who were tolerant and sensitive received the combination of crizotinib with chemotherapy. The control group included 27 patients receiving chemotherapy in the same hospital during the same period. The objective remission rates of the treated and control group were 81.3% and 74.1% (p = .869), respectively. The progression-free survival rates at two years in treated and control group were 68.7% and 45.0% (HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.17–0.99, p < .05), respectively. The overall survival rates at two years in the treated and control group were 86.1% and 78.9% (p = .385, HR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.11–2.30), respectively. The main adverse events included elevated transaminase, diarrhea, and vision abnormalities. Thus, the combination of crizotinib with chemotherapy might be effective in ALK-positive and crizotinib sensitive r/r sALCL patients.