ALK inhibitor

Definition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor

anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor

(A-nuh-PLAS-tik lim-FOH-muh KY-nays in-HIH-bih-ter)
A substance that blocks the activity of a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which helps control cell growth. Blocking this protein may help keep cancer cells from growing and spreading. Some anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors are used to treat cancer. They are a type of targeted therapy. Also called ALK inhibitor.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms