Molecular biology of lung cancer

Lung cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide and the overall survival rate has not improved significantly in the past 20 years. Of the more than 150,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Europe every year, less than 10% of patients can be cured and enjoy long-term survival. The role of tobacco smoking as a cause of lung cancer has been conclusively established. Early diagnosis of lung cancer, based on conventional screening procedures using sputum cytology and chest radiography, has been so far unable to decrease lung cancer mortality. We discuss here the possibility that novel, more specific molecular markers, beside providing new understanding of the process of lung carcinogenesis, may also constitute new tools for early diagnosis allowing for screening of high-risk individuals, determination of prognosis, and identification of innovative treatments.