title: Prognostic and predictive biomarkers for targeted therapy in NSCLC: for whom the bell tolls?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The discovery of molecular biomarkers and the advent of targeted therapies have led to a radical change in the treatment of several tumors, including NSCLC. In the last few years, the number of molecular biomarkers has rapidly increased, and a growing interest has been recently focused on their potential prognostic and predictive value in clinical settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review describes all the molecular biomarkers with prognostic and predictive value in NSCLC, including both clinically approved biomarkers, and emerging biomarkers under investigation in clinical trials. Liquid biopsy and applications of circulating biomarkers are also described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oncological research is currently focusing on the discovery and validation of molecular biomarkers in order to promote even more personalized treatment strategies. This paradigm of care will expand quickly thanks to the advent of new genotyping technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, making it possible to create a molecular-genomic profile of every patient's tumor. Liquid biopsy and the use of circulating-biomarkers represent the new challenge of oncological research, with very promising implications in the management of patients.
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Passiglia
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bronte
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castiglia
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Listì
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calò
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Toia
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fanale
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bazan
authors.affiliation: a University of Palermo, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Department of Surgical , Via del Vespro 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy +39 09 1655 2500 ; +39 09 1655 4529 ; antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; 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; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C062333:ROS1 protein, human; D018631:ras Proteins
keywords: NSCLC; liquid biopsy; predictive biomarkers; prognostic biomarkers; targeted therapy; tissue biopsy