title: Novel therapeutic targets in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Oncogenic driver mutations frequently occur in lung cancer and play role in carcinogenesis. These mutations are usually associated with distinct clinical and histological features and are attractive targets for anticancer therapy. Recently, several molecularly distinct phenotypes of NSCLC based on specific and mutually exclusive genetic derangements have been described. Few targets like epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements have successfully been targeted with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and crizotinib, respectively. Many more inhibitors of specific driver mutations involving genes like ROS, c-MET, FGFR, mTOR, IGFR and RET are currently under development. However, efforts to target some mutated genes like K-RAS have been unsuccessful. Moreover, the emerging challenge of acquired resistance to initially effective therapy is becoming another major concern. In this review recent data on novel molecular targets and their future prospects are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Monash Medical Centre, 823-865 Centre Road, East Bentleigh, Vic 3165, Australia.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alamgeer
authors.forename: Vinod
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ganju
authors.forename: D Neil
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Watkins
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases