Enteral administration of alectinib for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer in an elderly patient: A case report

RATIONALE: Alectinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for use as first-line metastatic therapy for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer. Certain medical conditions related to the tumor lesions may not allow oral administration of TKIs. PATIENT CONCERNS: We hereby report the case of a 90-year-old patient with anaplasic lymphoma kinase-rearranged lung cancer with severely impaired general condition and swallowing disorders. DIAGNOSIS: A thoracic computerized tomography (CT)-scan confirmed the presence of a mediastinal tumor lesion explaining the swallowing disorders secondary to recurrent paralysis. INTERVENTIONS: As no oral administration was feasible, alectinib was administered by percutaneous gastrostomy. OUTCOMES: The patient had few side-effects. He presented a major clinical and radiological response. After 2 months of treatment with alectinib, his mini-mental state examination had increased from 8/30 to 23/30. He had a 60% reduction in targeted pulmonary, bone and node lesions according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1). After 6 months of treatment, the patient's performance status had evolved from 3 to 1. This improvement in general condition made it possible to remove the feeding tube. LESSONS: In cases of lung cancer with oncogenic addiction, enteral administration of TKIs should be considered for elderly patients with an impaired general condition.