Preclinical Prediction of Resistance Mutations and Proposal of Sequential Treatment Strategies for ALK-positive Lung Cancer Using Next-generation ALK Inhibitors

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements occur in approximately 5% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Although ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors provide substantial clinical benefits, acquired resistance-conferring mutations frequently emerge, leading to disease progression. Preclinical prediction of these mutations might help guide the development of more effective sequential treatment strategies prior to clinical application.

Objective: To predict the emergence of resistance mutations to the investigational ALK inhibitors zotizalkib (TPX-0131), gilteritinib (ASP2215), and neladalkib (NVL-655) following resistance to first-line alectinib and assess the potential of these drugs as second-line therapies.

Methods: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based mutagenesis system was used to introduce random mutations into ALK cDNA harboring representative alectinib-resistant mutations. Mutant libraries were expressed in Ba/F3 cells, which were exposed to each inhibitor. Drug-resistant clones were isolated, sequenced, and evaluated for drug sensitivity using viability assays and immunoblotting.

Results: Several resistance mutations against zotizalkib, gilteritinib, and neladalkib were identified. Sequential use of these agents effectively suppressed all predicted resistance patterns with G1202R or I1171N.

Conclusions: This PCR-based platform provides a valuable approach for anticipating resistance mutations and guiding the design of optimized sequential therapies. Zotizalkib, gilteritinib, and neladalkib might represent promising alternatives to lorlatinib as second-line treatments for ALK-positive NSCLC.

Key points: • A PCR-based mutation prediction system was successfully applied to fourth-generation ALK inhibitors. • Neladalkib showed efficacy against G1202R-positive relapses with minimal evidence of secondary resistance mutations. • Sequential combinations of gilteritinib with either neladalkib or ensartinib may sustain efficacy and delay resistance in I1171N-positive relapses.

ALK; Lung cancer; Tyrosine kinase.