title: Molecular alterations in non-small-cell lung cancer: perspective for targeted therapy and specimen management for the bronchoscopist.
abstract: Major advances have occurred over the past decade in our understanding of lung cancer pathobiology. Increasing knowledge of molecular aberrations in lung cancer, specifically the discovery of two driver genes in pharmacologically targetable tyrosine kinases involved in growth factor receptor signalling, epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase, has been of major therapeutic and prognostic importance. This discovery has allowed for new, personalized approach to the management of lung cancer. Recognizing the importance of molecular signatures of lung cancer, the College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and Association for Molecular Pathology released the first guidelines for molecular testing in lung cancer. The introduction of minimally invasive needle techniques for the evaluation of lung cancer patients, such as endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration and oesophageal ultrasound-fine-needle aspiration, has revolutionized the way lung cancer patients are assessed. Samples obtained using the minimally invasive needle approaches have been shown to be sufficient not only for routine molecular testing but also for multigenic analysis. This allows bronchoscopist to assume an increasingly important role in the diagnostic workup of patients with lung cancer at all stages of the disease and contribute to personalizing the care of lung cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respirology; Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Kasia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Czarnecka-Kujawa
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasufuku
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011379:Prognosis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: anaplastic lymphoma kinase; endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration; epidermal growth factor receptor; lung cancer; oesophageal ultrasound-fine-needle aspiration