New approaches to the integrated management of early lung cancer.
We have briefly surveyed some the developments in the field of molecular diagnostics that provide a basis for cautious optimism about progress in population-based early lung cancer screening. The sound lung cancer management strategies that were formulated several decades ago failed in clinical trials because the necessary tools to implement the strategies were not yet available. Technology is beginning to emerge that makes population-based screening achievable. This same technology may be used to define a comprehensive marker panel including the most informative markers from the long list of candidate markers. Validation studies will define more clearly the strengths and limitations of new molecular diagnostics and provide leads for further research attention. The clinical community can expedite this process if these validation efforts are aggressively pursued. Parallel developments are clearly needed in refining the range of therapeutic intervention for early cancer management. The success of both diagnostic and intervention tools is interwoven in the ultimate goal of reducing lung cancer mortality. This article is an invitation to think expansively about new approaches to cancer care that integrate the fruits of our hard-learned lessons.
Mulshine
J L
JL
Biomarkers and Prevention Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Zhou
J
J
Treston
A M
AM
Szabo
E
E
Tockman
M S
MS
Cuttitta
F
F
D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy