EML4-ALK Testing in Advanced NSCLC

EML4-ALK translocation with corresponding response to ALK inhibitors has been one of the great advances in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapeutics. Given that EML4-ALK fusion occurs in only 2% to 7% of patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, Canadian investigators sought to determine the cost effectiveness of EML4-ALK testing and first-line therapy with crizotinib.

The researchers used a decision analytic model to compare lifetime benefits and direct medical costs between two strategies (crizotinib vs. standard chemotherapy) in treatment-naive, stage IV, nonsquamous cell carcinoma patients who were screened for EML4-ALK fusion. The Markov model assumed standard-of-care chemotherapy, which included first-line cisplatin and gemcitabi…