How a drug works is referred to as its mechanism of action.
Alecensa’s mechanism of action involves blocking the activity of a certain gene mutation. A mutation in the ALK gene results in it sending signals that cause cells in your lungs to grow too quickly. These cells are cancerous, and they can spread to areas of the body outside of the lungs. By blocking the activity of this mutation, Alecensa helps stop the cancer from growing.
For Alecensa to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) effectively, it must have the ALK gene mutation. This is referred to as being ALK-positive. Before prescribing Alecensa, your doctor will check whether your NSCLC is ALK-positive.
To learn more about how Alecensa works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.