Identification and characterization of ALK kinase splicing isoforms in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are present in an important subset of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and predict for response to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib. In this study, we evaluated the yet unknown frequency and functional role of ALK splicing isoforms in NSCLC.

Methods: We analyzed 270 cases of NSCLC for ALK kinase domain splicing aberrations and in addition generated constructs with full-length echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK (E13;A20) and a splicing isoform.

Polymorphism of the CYP1A1*2A gene and susceptibility to lung cancer in a Brazilian population.

Objective: To estimate and compare the frequency of CYP1A1*2A gene polymorphisms in a Brazilian population and determine the possible contribution of these genetic variations to lung cancer risk.

Methods: The study population included 200 patients with lung cancer, and the control group consisted of 264 blood donors. Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood samples.