Synergistic Effect of Alectinib and Everolimus on ALK-positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Growth Inhibition

Background/Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of the combination of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors with other inhibitors for the treatment of ALK-positive lymphomas. This approach is predicted to be an alternative way for suppressing ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Materials and Methods: We treated ALK-positive ALCL cell lines, KARPAS-299 and SU-DHL-1, with the ALK inhibitor alectinib and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus. Results: The ALK inhibitor alectinib had a selective ALK-dependent inhibitory effect on ALK-positive cancer cell proliferation. Treatment with alectinib or everolimus inhibited target molecules, and their combination augmented their inhibitory effect on the mTOR pathway. Furthermore, the combination treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in ALK-positive ALCL cells. Conclusion: The combination of both inhibitors synergistically inhibits ALK-positive ALCL cell growth via the ALK/mTOR pathway.