Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) is a protein that acts like a switch on certain cells, helping them grow and develop. In some cancers, such as specific types of lung cancer and lymphoma, ALK genes can become abnormally active or mutate, causing uncontrolled cell growth. This makes ALK an important target for cancer treatments, known as targeted therapy, which specifically block its activity to help stop or slow down cancer progression. Understanding ALK helps doctors develop more precise treatments, offering hope for improved outcomes in patients with ALK-related cancers.