NCIt definition : An orally available inhibitor of the receptor tyrosine kinase activity of anaplastic
lymphoma kinase (ALK) with antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, ceritinib
binds to and inhibits wild-type ALK kinase, ALK fusion proteins and ALK point mutation
variants. Inhibition of ALK leads to both the disruption of ALK-mediated signaling
and the inhibition of cell growth in ALK-overexpressing tumor cells. ALK belongs to
the insulin receptor superfamily and plays an important role in nervous system development.
ALK dysregulation and gene rearrangements are associated with a variety of tumor cell
types.;