New drug alectinib outperforms standard therapy in asian lung cancer patients

NCT ID NCT02838420

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 3 trial tested alectinib against crizotinib in 187 Asian patients with advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer who had not received prior treatment. Patients took either alectinib or crizotinib capsules twice daily. The study found that alectinib significantly improved progression-free survival compared to crizotinib, suggesting it may be a better first-line option for this population.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

alectinib (a targeted cancer drug taken as a capsule)

What this could lead to

If successful, alectinib could become a standard first treatment for Asian patients with ALK-positive lung cancer, offering better control of the disease.

What could go wrong

This trial is completed and showed positive results, but it only included Asian patients, so findings may not apply to other populations. Side effects like liver problems or lung inflammation are possible.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Asan Medical Center

    Seoul, 05505, South Korea

  • Beijing Cancer Hospital

    Beijing, 100142, China

  • Beijing Chest Hospital

    Beijing, 101149, China

  • Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center

    Shanghai, 200032, China

  • Guangdong General Hospital

    Guangzhou, 510080, China

  • Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital

    Harbin, 150081, China

  • Jiangsu Cancer Hospital

    Nanjing, 210009, China

  • Kangbuk Samsung Hospital

    Seoul, 03181, South Korea

  • Rajavithi Hospital

    Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

  • Ramathibodi Hospital

    Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

  • Samsung Medical Center

    Seoul, 06351, South Korea

  • Shanghai chest hospital

    Shanghai, 200030, China

  • Songklanagarind Hospital

    Songkhla, 90110, Thailand

  • Sun Yet-sen University Cancer Center

    Guangzhou, 510060, China

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of College of Medicine, Zhejiang University

    Hangzhou, 310003, China

  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University

    Guangzhou, 510120, China

  • West China Hospital, Sichuan University

    Chengdu, 610041, China

  • Zhejiang Cancer Hospital

    Hangzhou, 310022, China

  • the First Hospital of Jilin University

    Changchun, 130021, China