Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor response in neuroblastoma is highly correlated with ALK mutation status, ALK mRNA and protein levels

BACKGROUND: In pediatric neuroblastoma (NBL), high anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) levels appear to be correlated with an unfavorable prognosis, regardless of ALK mutation status. This suggests a therapeutic role for ALK inhibitors in NBL patients. We examined the correlation between levels of ALK, phosphorylated ALK (pALK) and downstream signaling proteins and response to ALK inhibition in a large panel of both ALK mutated and wild type (WT) NBL cell lines. METHODS: We measured protein levels by western blot and ALK inhibitor sensitivity (TAE684) by viability assays in 19 NBL cell lines of which 6 had a point mutation and 4 an amplification of the ALK gene. RESULTS: ALK 220 kDa (p = 0.01) and ALK 140 kDa (p = 0.03) protein levels were higher in ALK mutant than WT cell lines. Response to ALK inhibition was significantly correlated with ALK protein levels (p < 0.01). ALK mutant cell lines (n = 4) were 14,9 fold (p < 0,01) more sensitive to ALK inhibition than eight WT cell lines. CONCLUSION: NBL cell lines often express ALK at high levels and are responsive to ALK inhibitors. Mutated cell lines express ALK at higher levels, which may define their superior response to ALK inhibition. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13402-011-0048-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.