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The evolving role of targeted therapy in early-stage and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Howard West1

  • 1Thoracic Oncology Program, Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Howard.West@swedish.org

Current Oncology Reports
|June 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Targeted therapies improve outcomes for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Their role in early-stage NSCLC is under investigation to potentially enhance cure rates and redefine treatment standards.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Therapeutics

Background:

  • Targeted therapies and chemotherapy have advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management.
  • Inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and angiogenesis improve response rates and survival in advanced NSCLC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role of targeted therapies in potentially curable early-stage and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • To determine if targeted therapies can improve cure rates when combined with or replacing conventional chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of ongoing and completed clinical trials investigating targeted therapies in early-stage and locally advanced NSCLC.
  • Analysis of data on response rates, survival extension, and therapeutic index.

Main Results:

  • Novel targeted therapies have demonstrated significant clinical benefit in incurable, advanced NSCLC.
  • Established clinical benefit for targeted therapies in early-stage or locally advanced NSCLC is yet to be determined.

Conclusions:

  • The integration of targeted therapies holds potential to redefine standards of care for potentially curable NSCLC.
  • Further research and ongoing clinical trials are crucial to establish the value of targeted therapies in earlier stages of NSCLC.

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