Biologic approaches to drug selection and targeted therapy: hype or clinical reality?
Oncology remains at the forefront of the application of individualized or genomics-driven approaches to cancer care. This approach acknowledges cancer as a genetic disease, driven by alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors, with the strategy of using this information to guide therapy based on therapeutics capable of targeting specific alterations. Recent advances suggest a changing landscape in how management decisions are approached for the patient with non-small cell lung cancer. An expanding and functionally useful toolbox of novel targeted agents and biomarkers to drive therapeutic choices is beginning to impact patient care. This article reviews key advances, with commentary and perspective for the practicing thoracic surgical oncologist.
Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. wigle.dennis@mayo.edu
Dennis A
DA
Wigle
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
C522504:EML4-ALK fusion protein, human; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D066246:ErbB Receptors
ALK translocation; EGFR mutation; Individualized medicine; Targeted therapy; Tumor genome sequencing