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Detection of Targetable Alterations in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer using Next-generation Sequencing
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Role of targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer: hype or hope?

Corey J Langer1

  • 1Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. cj_langer@fccc.edu

Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|August 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer treatments have plateaued. Future research focuses on targeted therapies integrated with chemotherapy, despite clinical challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Cytotoxic therapies like taxanes, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and irinotecan have improved outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Despite advancements, current treatments have reached a therapeutic plateau, with response rates of 20-30% and 1-year survival rates of 30-40%.
  • Further improvements by merely substituting cytotoxic agents are unlikely.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of targeted therapy in overcoming the limitations of current cytotoxic treatments for advanced NSCLC.
  • To investigate the integration of novel targeted agents into the standard treatment paradigm for NSCLC.
  • To identify promising targets for new NSCLC therapies, including growth factor receptors, angiogenesis, and specific enzymes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current research focusing on targeted therapy agents.
  • Analysis of preclinical models demonstrating synergy between targeted agents and conventional chemotherapy or radiation.
  • Identification of clinical challenges associated with targeted therapy integration.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical studies show potential synergy between targeted agents and chemotherapy/radiation in NSCLC models.
  • Several targeted agents are under investigation, focusing on pathways like growth factor signaling and angiogenesis.
  • Clinical implementation faces challenges including determining optimal biologic doses and effective integration strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted therapy represents a promising new direction for advanced non-small cell lung cancer treatment.
  • Successful integration of targeted agents requires addressing key clinical challenges in dosing and combination regimens.
  • Further research is needed to optimize the use of targeted therapies in the clinical setting for NSCLC.

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