Anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein

The "Anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein" detects the ALK/NPM fusion protein p 80. The expression of the ALK protein is the result of chromosomal translocation, usually between chromosomes 2 and 5 (p23;q35), followed by fusion of the nuclear phosphoprotein nucleophosmin (NPM) and the intracellular domain of the receptor kinase ALK.

The detection is helpful in the diagnosis of systemic large cell anaplastic lymphomas (ALCL) with existing translocation t(2;5).

In normal tissue, ALK expression occurs only in central nervous tissue (thalamus, ganglia, ganglion cells, etc.).

Detection of the Anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein is negative in lymphomatoid papulosis and primary cutaneous CD30+ ALCL.