How Innovative ALK-Targeted Therapy and Surgery Transformed One Patient’s Future

A 41-year-old retired firefighter, combat veteran, and father of four received devastating news in September 2022: stage IV lung cancer. The initial warning signs—a persistent dry cough and unrelenting fatigue—were initially mistaken for pneumonia. But further testing revealed adenocarcinoma with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion, a genetic mutation that can accelerate tumor growth. By then, the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, ribs, and abdomen, creating an urgent need for advanced care.

Intent on finding the best possible treatment, he traveled from his home in Wisconsin to MD Anderson, renowned for its expertise in complex thoracic cancers. There, medical oncologist Dr. Carl Gay recognized the ALK mutation, which gave the team a targeted pathway for treatment. They discontinued the chemotherapy started elsewhere and switched him to alectinib, a specialized ALK-targeted therapy. Within two months, the tumors in his lungs had shrunk by 50%, allowing him to breathe more easily. Lymph nodes returned to normal size, and scans showed no residual activity in the abdomen.

Although surgery is rarely offered for stage IV lung cancer, significant progress on alectinib made it a viable option in his case. Under the care of thoracic surgeon Dr. Mara Antonoff, he underwent removal of the middle and lower lobes of his right lung in March 2023. Pathology reports revealed zero living cancer cells remaining in the resected tissues—a miraculous transformation from widespread disease to no evidence of disease in just six months.

While the demands of firefighting proved too hazardous after surgery, life has taken on new meaning. He devotes his energy to family, friends, and training for another IRONMAN triathlon. Sharing his story on social media, he advocates for early testing, personalized treatment, and the value of second opinions—especially at world-class institutions like MD Anderson.