Alk negative意思

"ALK negative" is a term used in cancer genetics to describe a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that does not have a mutation in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. ALK is a protein involved in normal cell growth, and when this gene is mutated, it can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of cancer.

In ALK-negative lung cancer, the cancer cells do not have this specific mutation, and therefore, they are not candidates for treatments that target the ALK gene, such as ALK inhibitors. Instead, treatment for ALK-negative lung cancer may involve other targeted therapies, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the specific characteristics of the cancer and the patient's overall health.