Molecular targets in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer: is there hope on the horizon?
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a growing concern worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase in developing countries. It has a strong association with smoking. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in most industrialized countries and in the United States. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advancements in the understanding of molecular oncogenes and how they play a role in driving lung cancer to both grow and metastasize. Understanding this rapidly expanding field has the potential to extend life, and it is an important field for all providers to conceptualize if they are treating patients with lung cancer. Currently, > 50% of all NSCLC is linked to 1 of several known genetic driver mutations. Using online databases, expert opinion, and practice-changing trials, we review the current standards of molecular testing of NSCLC and the expanding evidence of oncogenic drivers in nonsquamous NSCLC.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Corey A
CA
Carter
Joel Anthony
JA
Nations
Angeline
A
Lazarus
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
C117307:KRAS protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins