Targeted therapy: an evolving world of lung cancer.
Lung cancer remains one of the most fatal illnesses. Recent development in cancer genomics and molecular targeted therapy leads to a paradigm shift in management of advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Patients with activated mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) responded dramatically to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as gefitinib or erlotinib. Multiple randomized studies have showed EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor to be superior to standard first-line chemotherapy in this biomarker-selected population. As the vasculature is considered to be the 'Achillus heel' of the tumour, anti-angiogenic treatment is considered to be a suitable target. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor may improve the efficacy of chemotherapy, although a practical biomarker has not been identified. We have entered an era of personalized therapy for lung cancer and this evolvement holds great promises for better treatment in future.
Lam
Kwok-Chi
KC
State Key Laboratory of Southern China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sir YK Pau Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Mok
Tony S
TS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib