The Role of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Receptor in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB), a frequently occurring pediatric disease, is derived from the neural crest cells in the sympathetic ganglia and adrenal medulla. Notably, it is a heterogeneous tumor consisting of many affection factors, such as the diagnosis time within the first year and the diversity of the histology and genetic features. Despite improved outcomes in NB patients, it remains a difficult clinical problem and requires new therapeutic targets and methods. The somatic acquired activation point mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) represent potential targets for treating NB. Herein, we review the underlying mechanisms of ALK in NB development, the latest available strategies to block ALK constitutive activity to treat NB, and discuss the current clinical challenges of resistance to these therapies and the strategies to overcome them.