title: Best practice in the treatment of advanced squamous cell lung cancer.
abstract: The management of advanced stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been altered by the recognition of histology-based treatment and the use of targeted therapy. Whilst outcomes have improved with adenocarcinoma, treatment options are still limited in advanced stage squamous cell lung cancer. With advances in the molecular characterization of squamous cell cancers (SCCs), new potential targets have been identified. In this review, we discuss the role of histology in the treatment of NSCLC, cytotoxic chemotherapy, existing targeted therapies, the new molecular subsets and novel inhibitors in squamous cell lung carcinoma, and the emerging role of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Based on the results of two recent studies, nivolumab, a programmed death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the treatment of squamous cell NSCLC in the second-line setting. Well-designed biomarker driven studies are needed to accelerate the development and approval of novel therapies for patients with lung SCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yvonne L E
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Hon-Lyn
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 7, Singapore 119228 ross_soo@nuhs.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Soo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000077594:Nivolumab; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; D000077594:Nivolumab
keywords: immunotherapy; nonsmall cell lung cancer; squamous cell; targeted therapy