Anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangement predicts better prognosis in NSCLC patients: A meta-analysis

Smoking status had a profound influence on the ALK-related prognosis of NSCLC. ALK rearrangement predicted a better prognosis in the general population with NSCLC, but a poor survival in the non-smoking population. Therefore, stratification according to smoking status is strongly recommended for future studies exploring ALK-related prognosis.